Ammonium ion

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Blood test

NH4+ test

• Excessive bleeding
• Fainting or feeling light-headed
• Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
• Multiple punctures to locate veins

This test is about 90% accurate.

Patients with liver disease may have clotting problems. After the venipuncture, pressure should be applied to the puncture site for several minutes to ensure that bleeding has stopped.

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample may be more difficult from some people than from others.

Review Date: 01/17/2007
Reviewed By: Frank A. Greco, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Biophysical Laboratory, The Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.