We have a physician concerned about abnormally low calcium levels drawn from a line. I have never heard of this. I do know that potassium levels can be high if KCL has been administered thru that line and the Heparin and coagulation studies that can be abnormal but never calcium. Does anyone know or have experience with this?
Thank you,
Chris Thomas
Not aware of any reports specifically with calcium. How did this physician know these were a false low level and not the actual patient's value? Was the levels taken from the CVAD compared to a peripheral sample? Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, NPD-BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
Yes. They started to treat low calcium levels and one of the physicians became concerned when the subsequent lab was drawn from a peripheral stick (before treating) and it was normal. I will have to find out how many times they checked this.
Sounds like a possible study, doesn't it?
Chris