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Test Code PHBF pH Body Fluid

Important Note

  • This orderable is not for gastric specimen for gastric specimens see pH Gastric
  • Specimen source must be indicated on specimen label and requisition(s).
    • Ascites Fl
    • Peritoneal Fl
    • Pleural Fl

Additional Codes

Cerner

NextGen

PH Body Fluid

PH Body Fluid

Useful For/ Methodology

Used to determine the pH of fluid types listed using a blood gas analyzer.

Patient Preparation

None

Collection Instructions

Collect specimens according to clinical policies and procedures.

Specimen Requirements

Container

 or  or  or  or  or  or bag

Stability

Specimen Type

Storage

Temperature

Stability

Pleural

Room Temperature

18-28°C

≤ 1 Hour

Peritoneal/Ascites

Refrigerated

Room Temperature

 2-8°C

18-28°C

≤ 24 hours

≤ 24 hours

Rejection Criteria

The Laboratory will not accept specimens in syringes with needles -- the syringe must be capped with a rubber stopper. 

Result Reporting and Reference Values

Specimen Type

Reference Range

Pleural fluid
  • pH ≥ 7.30
  • pH <7.3  occurs most commonly with empyema, malignant effusion, esophageal rupture, rheumatoid pleurisy, tuberculous pleurisy, and lupus pleuritis.

Peritoneal/Ascites
  • Reference range not established
  • pH <7.35 may be observed in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

Reflex Testing

None

Limitations

  • Air bubbles must be removed from the sample immediately.  Contamination with room air will affect results.
  • Clotting and dilutional effects may be present if the sample collection technique is not performed correctly.
  • The presence of unknown interfering substances, clots or other foreign matter within the blood sample that alters the optical spectrum will result in higher levels of residual spectrum. A sample with an absorbance error will not be reported.
  • Anticoagulants such as EDTA, citrate, oxalate, or fluoride will not be accepted since they significantly affect pH.