A potassium test, as part of the BMP, is commonly performed as part of a regular checkup.
These include conditions likeheart failureandchronic kidney disease.
What Does Potassium Do in the Body?
Verywell / Joshua Seong
How Is the Test Performed?
The potassium test involves a simpleblood draw(also known asvenipuncture).
Only one tube of blood is needed for a BMP.
The blood draw may cause a little discomfort but is otherwise painless.
Mild bruising can sometimes occur.
Dizziness may also occur, more often if multiple blood samples are needed.
In some cases, certain drugs may need to be stopped to get the most accurate results.
Interpreting the Results
Blood potassium is measured in milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L).
Additional tests and procedures would then be ordered to investigate the most likely causes.
In newborns, levels greater than 8.0 mEq/L are considered critical.
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