Which statement best describes the effect of hemolysis on potassium measurement and the appropriate action if a specimen is visibly hemolyzed?

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Hemolysis releases potassium from inside red blood cells into the serum or plasma. Red cells have a much higher potassium concentration than extracellular fluid, so when a sample is hemolyzed, the measured potassium rises and gives a falsely high result. The correct response is to repeat the test with a fresh specimen and proper handling if the sample is visibly hemolyzed, because the initial result is unreliable due to the in vitro release of potassium.

The idea that hemolysis lowers potassium, or that it doesn’t affect potassium, is not true—hemolysis misleads potassium measurements by increasing them. Diluting a hemolyzed sample isn’t a reliable fix, and the best practice is a redraw to obtain an unhemolyzed specimen.