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Questions and Answers
What is the impact of prolonged contact between plasma and cells on specimen integrity?
What is the impact of prolonged contact between plasma and cells on specimen integrity?
- It has no significant effect on test results.
- It can lead to altered analyte levels. (correct)
- It stabilizes the analyte concentrations.
- It decreases the likelihood of hemolysis.
At what temperature should serum and plasma specimens be stored if testing cannot be completed within eight hours?
At what temperature should serum and plasma specimens be stored if testing cannot be completed within eight hours?
- Room temperature (20-25°C)
- Heated to 37°C
- Freezing at or below -20°C
- Refrigerated at 2-8°C (correct)
How quickly should a blood ammonia specimen be handled after collection to ensure accurate results?
How quickly should a blood ammonia specimen be handled after collection to ensure accurate results?
- It should be allowed to stand for 2 hours at room temperature.
- It can be refrigerated for up to 48 hours.
- It must be placed in an ice slurry immediately. (correct)
- It should be tested within 8 hours.
What is the expected decline rate of glucose levels in uncentrifuged coagulated blood stored at room temperature?
What is the expected decline rate of glucose levels in uncentrifuged coagulated blood stored at room temperature?
Which blood specimen should be kept in a light-sensitive tube due to susceptibility to light degradation?
Which blood specimen should be kept in a light-sensitive tube due to susceptibility to light degradation?
What should be avoided during the collection of serum to prevent specimen contamination?
What should be avoided during the collection of serum to prevent specimen contamination?
How long can EDTA whole blood tubes be safely stored at room temperature without affecting hematology test results?
How long can EDTA whole blood tubes be safely stored at room temperature without affecting hematology test results?
Which of the following analytes is NOT affected by light exposure?
Which of the following analytes is NOT affected by light exposure?
What could be the effect of delaying a specimen for more than two hours before centrifugation?
What could be the effect of delaying a specimen for more than two hours before centrifugation?
How can serum contact with red blood cells affect potassium test results?
How can serum contact with red blood cells affect potassium test results?
Which tests are NOT recommended to be transported via pneumatic tube systems due to sensitivity to red cell disruption?
Which tests are NOT recommended to be transported via pneumatic tube systems due to sensitivity to red cell disruption?
What is a necessary step for a specimen without anticoagulant prior to centrifugation?
What is a necessary step for a specimen without anticoagulant prior to centrifugation?
What is the primary reason to avoid increasing centrifugation speed?
What is the primary reason to avoid increasing centrifugation speed?
When transporting urine specimens via pneumatic tube systems, what is essential?
When transporting urine specimens via pneumatic tube systems, what is essential?
What can result from improper balance of the centrifuge?
What can result from improper balance of the centrifuge?
Which of the following tests is least likely affected by pneumatic tube transport?
Which of the following tests is least likely affected by pneumatic tube transport?
What is the potential impact of a pneumatic tube system on blood specimens?
What is the potential impact of a pneumatic tube system on blood specimens?
What happens if centriguation is performed without complete clotting?
What happens if centriguation is performed without complete clotting?
Which of the following statements is true regarding specimen transportation?
Which of the following statements is true regarding specimen transportation?
How does cellular consumption affect glucose levels in serum?
How does cellular consumption affect glucose levels in serum?
What might happen if centrifugation is conducted with residual separator gel in the serum?
What might happen if centrifugation is conducted with residual separator gel in the serum?
Which label is required for infectious substances shipped via commercial carriers?
Which label is required for infectious substances shipped via commercial carriers?
What is the potential consequence of freezing and thawing a blood specimen multiple times?
What is the potential consequence of freezing and thawing a blood specimen multiple times?
Why is it crucial to separate serum or plasma from cells within two hours of collection?
Why is it crucial to separate serum or plasma from cells within two hours of collection?
What precautions should be taken for light-sensitive specimens during collection and storage?
What precautions should be taken for light-sensitive specimens during collection and storage?
What is the effect of glycolysis on glucose levels in uncentrifuged blood at room temperature?
What is the effect of glycolysis on glucose levels in uncentrifuged blood at room temperature?
What conditions are recommended for the storage of serum or plasma if analysis cannot occur within eight hours?
What conditions are recommended for the storage of serum or plasma if analysis cannot occur within eight hours?
What could be a consequence of rimming the clot in a serum collection tube during specimen preparation?
What could be a consequence of rimming the clot in a serum collection tube during specimen preparation?
How long can EDTA whole blood tubes remain at room temperature without adverse effects on results?
How long can EDTA whole blood tubes remain at room temperature without adverse effects on results?
Which analytes are reported to be stable in terms of light exposure?
Which analytes are reported to be stable in terms of light exposure?
Why should serum specimens not be delayed for more than two hours before centrifugation?
Why should serum specimens not be delayed for more than two hours before centrifugation?
What is the primary risk of prolonged contact between serum and red blood cells?
What is the primary risk of prolonged contact between serum and red blood cells?
What must be done to a specimen without anticoagulant before centrifugation?
What must be done to a specimen without anticoagulant before centrifugation?
Why should specific tests like potassium and lactate dehydrogenase not be transported via pneumatic tube systems?
Why should specific tests like potassium and lactate dehydrogenase not be transported via pneumatic tube systems?
What effect does hemolysis during centrifugation have on serum specimens?
What effect does hemolysis during centrifugation have on serum specimens?
What materials are necessary for safely transporting urine specimens via pneumatic tube systems?
What materials are necessary for safely transporting urine specimens via pneumatic tube systems?
How do vibrations and shocks from pneumatic tube systems impact blood specimens?
How do vibrations and shocks from pneumatic tube systems impact blood specimens?
What is the importance of using a gel barrier tube when collecting serum?
What is the importance of using a gel barrier tube when collecting serum?
What could be the consequences of reducing centrifugation time and increasing its speed?
What could be the consequences of reducing centrifugation time and increasing its speed?
What is a potential requirement when sending infectious substances via commercial carriers?
What is a potential requirement when sending infectious substances via commercial carriers?
Why is specimen leakage a concern when using pneumatic tube systems?
Why is specimen leakage a concern when using pneumatic tube systems?
How can incomplete separation of serum and cells affect testing?
How can incomplete separation of serum and cells affect testing?
What kind of tests are typically not affected by pneumatic tube transport?
What kind of tests are typically not affected by pneumatic tube transport?
What test results may falsely increase due to prolonged serum and cell contact?
What test results may falsely increase due to prolonged serum and cell contact?
What should be monitored in the transportation carrier of laboratory specimens?
What should be monitored in the transportation carrier of laboratory specimens?
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Study Notes
Blood Ammonia and Specimen Handling
- Blood ammonia levels rapidly increase at room temperature due to amino acid breakdown; therefore, a specimen must be placed in ice slurry and transported quickly to the lab.
- Whole blood samples should be separated from cells and tested promptly to avoid altered analyte levels or hemolysis.
- Serum or plasma specimens should be centrifuged within two hours of collection to prevent changes in serum constituents.
Impact of Storage Conditions
- Prolonged contact with cells can falsely alter analyte levels (e.g., increased potassium and decreased glucose).
- Specimens stored at room temperature (20-25°C) can adversely affect test results; serum/plasma should be refrigerated at 2-8°C if testing is delayed, especially beyond eight hours.
- Freezing specimens should be limited to once to prevent analyte deterioration, particularly for tests affected by repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Light Sensitivity of Specimens
- Light-sensitive tests include Vitamin B12, bilirubin, beta carotene, and folate; these should be collected in amber tubes or wrapped in aluminum foil.
- Tests like Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, and aPTT are unaffected by light exposure.
Effects of Time on Analytes
- Glucose levels decrease by 5% to 7% per hour in uncentrifuged blood at room temperature; timely separation is essential.
- Different analytes may be subject to cellular consumption or release into the serum, skewing results if centrifugation is delayed beyond two hours.
Pneumatic Tube System Transport Protocol
- Transport protocols for laboratory specimens via pneumatic tube system must ensure specimen integrity and safety.
- Tests negatively impacted by pneumatic tube transport include potassium and lactate dehydrogenase, while others like albumin and creatinine are not affected.
Specimen Collection and Clotting
- Non-additive specimens should clot for at least 30 minutes before centrifugation to avoid fibrin residue that can affect testing.
- Improper centrifugation, either due to speed or incomplete clotting, can lead to hemolysis or residual gel particles, interfering with test accuracy.
General Recommendations
- Compliance with standard specimen handling procedures prevents issues such as contamination, hemolysis, and inaccurate test results.
- Proper specimen storage and timely processing are critical to maintaining the integrity of lab results and ensuring patient safety.
Blood Ammonia and Specimen Handling
- Blood ammonia levels rapidly increase at room temperature due to amino acid breakdown; therefore, a specimen must be placed in ice slurry and transported quickly to the lab.
- Whole blood samples should be separated from cells and tested promptly to avoid altered analyte levels or hemolysis.
- Serum or plasma specimens should be centrifuged within two hours of collection to prevent changes in serum constituents.
Impact of Storage Conditions
- Prolonged contact with cells can falsely alter analyte levels (e.g., increased potassium and decreased glucose).
- Specimens stored at room temperature (20-25°C) can adversely affect test results; serum/plasma should be refrigerated at 2-8°C if testing is delayed, especially beyond eight hours.
- Freezing specimens should be limited to once to prevent analyte deterioration, particularly for tests affected by repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Light Sensitivity of Specimens
- Light-sensitive tests include Vitamin B12, bilirubin, beta carotene, and folate; these should be collected in amber tubes or wrapped in aluminum foil.
- Tests like Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, and aPTT are unaffected by light exposure.
Effects of Time on Analytes
- Glucose levels decrease by 5% to 7% per hour in uncentrifuged blood at room temperature; timely separation is essential.
- Different analytes may be subject to cellular consumption or release into the serum, skewing results if centrifugation is delayed beyond two hours.
Pneumatic Tube System Transport Protocol
- Transport protocols for laboratory specimens via pneumatic tube system must ensure specimen integrity and safety.
- Tests negatively impacted by pneumatic tube transport include potassium and lactate dehydrogenase, while others like albumin and creatinine are not affected.
Specimen Collection and Clotting
- Non-additive specimens should clot for at least 30 minutes before centrifugation to avoid fibrin residue that can affect testing.
- Improper centrifugation, either due to speed or incomplete clotting, can lead to hemolysis or residual gel particles, interfering with test accuracy.
General Recommendations
- Compliance with standard specimen handling procedures prevents issues such as contamination, hemolysis, and inaccurate test results.
- Proper specimen storage and timely processing are critical to maintaining the integrity of lab results and ensuring patient safety.
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