An elevated potassium in a hemolyzed specimen is classified as:

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An elevated potassium in a hemolyzed specimen is due to the rupturing of red blood cells, which can release intracellular potassium into the serum or plasma, leading to inaccurate results. This is a preanalytical error that can be prevented by proper specimen collection and handling techniques. Analytical errors occur during the testing process, while postanalytical errors occur after the results have been reported, such as errors in result reporting or interpretation.

An Elevated Potassium in a Hemolyzed Specimen Is Classified As