Salicylates Level
Discover the uses, result interpretation, etc., of the salicylates level test. Check out our short guide to learn more and download a free request form template.
Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.
What is a Salicylate level Test?
A salicylate level test is a medical assessment healthcare practitioners use to quantify the salicylate concentration in an individual’s bloodstream. Salicylates are a class of drugs found in medications, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Aspirin, among others, is the most prevalent variant of salicylate.
Aside from knowing the amount of salicylate in one’s blood, the salicylate level test is primarily used by healthcare practitioners as a diagnostic tool to identify acute or gradual aspirin poisoning, which has symptoms like nausea, vomiting, hyperventilation, profuse sweating, fatigue, accelerated heart rate, confusion, etc.
The severity and presence of symptoms will vary depending on the individual's aspiring poisoning. Aside from that, the test can also be used to monitor salicylate levels in individuals who are taking prescription-strength aspirin for their inflammatory ailments like arthritis.
Like other medical tests, the salicylate level test also requires a blood sample from a patient who has refrained from ingesting substances containing salicylate for at least four hours before the test. The test results obtained from processing can signify whether a patient needs immediate medical intervention or treatment, especially if they have elevated salicylate levels in their bloodstream.
Printable Salicylates Level Test
Download this Salicylates Level Test to diagnose both acute and gradual aspirin poisoning.
How does it work?
Step One. Obtain a Copy of the Template
Secure a digital and printable salicylates level test template to bring out when needed by following either one of the two steps provided below:
- Click the “Use Template” or “Download Template”
- Search “Salicylates Level Test” on Carepatron’s template library’s search bar on the app or website
Step Two. Create the Request
After you interview, assess, or physically examine your patient if you think your patient needs to undergo the salicylates test based on your observations and findings on their symptoms or medical history, create a request by filling out the first section of the template.
Step Three. Submit the Form
During emergencies, you or your fellow physician can give the request form to a laboratory technician for processing. Meanwhile, for monitoring, you must remind your patient to bring the request form to the laboratory as proof; only then will the practitioner in charge collect the blood sample.
Step Four. Write Down Interpretation
Once the results return, you can use the section on the template designed and dedicated for analysis, interpretation, and additional findings and observations. Whatever information you gather, and other test results can be used for emergency medical intervention or monitoring.
Step Five. Store the Template Securely
After treatment or monitoring, it’s best if you securely store the completed template. Keep physical copies in a secure location within your establishment within walking distance for easy retrieval. Remember that digital copies can be kept on Carepatron, a HIPAA-compliant software that can safeguard your electronic patient records.
Salicylates Level Test Example (sample)
We’re providing you with a printable and digitally accessible PDF file of a completed salicylates level test template that you can view for an idea of how the blank template may look when you use it as both a request form and a document for analysis and interpretation. Do note that you’re free to utilize the template however you see fit and that the answers provided in the sample template are fictional.
Download this Salicylates Level Test Example:
When would you use this test?
Healthcare practitioners such as yourself may typically use and request a salicylate level test in the following situations:
Diagnosis
The primary purpose of the salicylate level test is to aid practitioners in diagnosing both acute and gradual aspirin poisoning.
For a general idea of the difference between the two, acute aspirin poisoning happens when an individual ingests a significant and potentially dangerous aspiring quality in a single instance. Gradual poisoning happens when the individual takes lower doses of aspirin over an extended period.
While acute aspirin poisoning symptoms like nausea, hyperventilation, excessive sweating, etc., are expected to be evident within three to eight hours after the overdose, symptoms of gradual aspirin poisoning, like quick heart rate, headache, confusion, hallucinations, etc., only manifest after a few days or weeks.
Monitoring
Aside from diagnosis, the salicylates level test may also be used to monitor individuals who are taking prescription-strength aspirin to manage their arthritis or other inflammatory disorders. The information the referring physician will obtain from this test will be used to assess if the prescribed aspirin dosage effectively addresses the medical condition or if it poses a risk of being taken in harmful amounts that may cause poisoning.
Emergencies
During emergencies wherein the patient is suspected of ingesting a substantial quantity of salicylate, the salicylate level test is included in the emergency diagnostic procedure and monitoring if there’s a confirmed overdose. In this specific situation, the test may be administered regularly to monitor the levels until consecutive results indicate a decline.
What do the results mean?
Interpretations should be made considering the patient’s clinical condition and test results. However, suppose you need a general idea of the results, especially during emergencies. In that case, you may refer to the result interpretations of the free salicylates level test below:
- Therapeutic Normal Range or Typical Range: If your patient takes aspirin for their arthritis or inflammation, their levels must be between 10 and 30 mg/dL.
- Elevated Test Value: If your patient’s level is higher than 40-50 mg/dL, not only should they be symptomatic of aspirin poisoning, but if it approaches or exceeds 100 mg/dL, it’s indicative of a life-threatening level of toxicity. Patients with gradual or chronic poisoning usually have 60 mg/dL or higher levels.
- Decreased Test Value: If your patient’s level is less than the typical range, one may recommend a higher dosage of salicylate-containing medication or aspirin for it to be effective.
One important thing to note is that when a patient overdoses, the “peak serum concentration” may not occur until 4 to 6 hours after ingestion. Therefore, the results obtained from the salicylate level test may not reflect the peak level.
Commonly asked questions
General physicians, emergency department staff, and toxicologists are those who typically request a salicylate level test. The one asking will vary depending on the circumstance.
The salicylate level tests are used for diagnosis, monitoring, and during emergencies wherein the patient is suspected of having aspirin or salicylate-medication poisoning.
Collecting the sample for the salicylates level will take only a few minutes, and processing results for most hospitals and laboratories will take anywhere from 3 to 6 hours. However, do note that the duration time will vary depending on the specific laboratory.
