What it means
The standard test for cystic fibrosis. A small amount of a drug that causes sweating is moved into the skin of the arm with a weak electric current, and the sweat is collected and measured. In cystic fibrosis, a faulty protein makes sweat unusually salty. It is used after a positive newborn screen or when symptoms suggest the disease.
For the nurse
Tell the family it is painless (a slight tingling), that the child can eat and drink normally, and that no lotions should go on the skin that day.
At a glance
| Normal range | 29 mEq/L or less [29 mmol/L or less]; 30–59 mEq/L [30–59 mmol/L] is intermediate and 60 mEq/L [60 mmol/L] or more is consistent with cystic fibrosis. |
|---|---|
| Also written | sweat test, sweat chloride |
Related terms
electrolyte
A mineral that carries an electric charge when dissolved in body fluids, such as sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride.