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Test Code LAB110 pH - Body Fluid

Useful For

Determine pH of body fluid to work up diagnosis. 

pH of pleural fluid under 6.0 may indicate rupture of esophagus.  pH under 7.3 relates to inflammatory states in empyema, and in loculated effusions, pleural fluid pH is less than 7.2 to 7.3.  pH is less than 7.2 in rheumatoid pleural effusion, which is characterized by low glucose, high LDH and high rheumatoid factor titer.  pH more than 7.3 is in general a feature of transudates.  Low pH and low glucose together are found with loculated effusion or with empyema.

Performing Laboratory

  • Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center (ARRMC)
  • Asante Three Rivers Medical Center (ATRMC)

 

Performing Department

Chemistry

Specimen Required

Body fluid (pleural fluid, thoracentesis fluid)  -  Sterile tube

Specimen Minimum Volume

1.0 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Transport immediately within 1 hour.  If transport is delayed, refrigerate specimen.

Reject Due To

  • Quantity not sufficient (QNS)
  • Lacking Two Patient Identifiers:
    • 1-Patient's First & Last name 
    • 2-Patient's Date of Birth

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

 

Report Available

  • Routine - same day
  • ASAP - 2 hours after receipt of specimen in lab
  • STAT - 1 hour after receipt of specimen in lab

Method Name

pH Paper

CPT Code Information

83986  -  pH; body fluid, not otherwise specified

Billing Code

2050961