What effect does hemolysis have on potassium measurements?

Hemolysis can falsely elevate potassium levels in a blood sample. This occurs because potassium is predominantly an intracellular ion, meaning that a significant amount of potassium resides inside cells. When red blood cells are lysed, or hemolyzed, during the collection or handling of the blood sample, intracellular potassium is released into the serum or plasma. This release leads to an artificially high measurement of serum potassium, which does not accurately reflect the true physiological condition of the patient.

The effect of hemolysis is particularly important to consider in clinical laboratory settings. Accurate potassium measurements are critical for diagnosing and managing various medical conditions, such as renal function, adrenal issues, and cardiac health. Therefore, lab personnel are trained to identify and minimize hemolysis during sample collection and processing to ensure reliable results.

The other options do not illustrate the impact of hemolysis correctly. While some conditions can affect sodium levels or potassium levels in different ways, hemolysis is specifically associated with the elevation of potassium due to the release of intracellular contents.