Specimen Requirements

Laboratory Orders

Laboratory orders DEX1 for 0800 the day after dexamethasone administration.

Inpatient Preparation

1. Administer 1 mg of dexamethasone orally and a sedative to patient at 2300.

Note: Laboratory does not supply dexamethasone or sedative.

2. Patient must be fasting throughout procedure.

3. Do not disturb patient’s sleep.

Outpatient and Outreach collection of the morning specimen is permitted. The patient is responsible for taking the medication as prescribed the night before. The collection must be completed between 0800-0900.

Specimen Collection

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Plasma

Draw blood in a green-top (lithium heparin) tube at 0800 the morning following dexamethasone and sedative administration. (Hemolyzed specimen is not acceptable.) Spin down, separate within 2 hours of draw, and send 2 mL of lithium heparin plasma.

Note: 1. Indicate plasma.

2. Label specimen appropriately (plasma).

Serum
Draw blood in a gold-top serum gel tube at 0800 the morning following dexamethasone and sedative administration. (Hemolyzed specimen is not acceptable.) Spin down, separate within 2 hours of draw, and send 2 mL of serum.

Note: 1. Indicate serum.

2. Label specimen appropriately (serum).