Specimen Requirements

Systemic, arterial, and venous blood urea nitrogen specimens are required for this test.

Systemic Blood Urea Nitrogen

Slow the pump speed to 50 mL/min. Draw blood in a gold-top, red-top, or light green-top (lithium heparin) tube(s) from the arterial port. Re-establish the pump speed. Spin down and send 1 mL (minimum volume:  0.1 mL) of serum or lithium heparin plasma refrigerated. Forward promptly.

Note:  Label specimen appropriately (systemic and plasma).

Arterial Blood Urea Nitrogen

Re-establish the pump speed. Draw blood in a gold-top, red-top, or light green-top (lithium heparin) tube(s) from the arterial port at the same time as the venous blood urea nitrogen draw. Spin down and send 1 mL (minimum volume:  0.1 mL) of serum or lithium heparin plasma refrigerated. Forward promptly.

Note:  Label specimen appropriately (arterial and plasma).

Venous Blood Urea Nitrogen

Re-establish the pump speed. Draw blood in a gold-top, red-top, or light green-top (lithium heparin) tube(s) from the venous port at the same time as the arterial blood urea nitrogen draw. Spin down and send 1 mL (minimum volume:  0.1 mL) of serum or lithium heparin plasma refrigerated. Forward promptly.

Note:  Label specimen appropriately (venous and plasma).