Huntingburg, IN
A 45-year-old male asked:
In a r phlebotomist who recently drew a bladder cancer patient. the potassium result showed a false positive of 14. what caused this result?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Kenneth Murdockanswered
Radiation Oncology 54 years experience
Hemolysis: Since a potassium of 14 is incompatible withlife, the sample was undoubtedly hemolyzed. The only other thing that could drive the potassium to that high would be succinylcholine. Redraw the sample.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 28, 2016
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