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Questions and Answers
What type of errors occur during sample collection, transport, or processing prior to the analysis step?
What type of errors occur during sample collection, transport, or processing prior to the analysis step?
- Analytical errors
- Preanalytical errors (correct)
- Interfering errors
- Postanalytical errors
Which of the following is an example of a preanalytical error related to specimen collection?
Which of the following is an example of a preanalytical error related to specimen collection?
- Instrument not calibrated correctly
- Specimen mislabeled (correct)
- Report delayed or incomplete
- Bubbles or particles present in the sample
When do postanalytical errors occur?
When do postanalytical errors occur?
- During sample collection
- Before the analysis step
- After the analysis has taken place (correct)
- During analysis
Which type of error may involve issues like interfering substances present and not recognized or bubbles or particles in the sample?
Which type of error may involve issues like interfering substances present and not recognized or bubbles or particles in the sample?
What could be a consequence of a preanalytical error related to a patient being improperly prepared?
What could be a consequence of a preanalytical error related to a patient being improperly prepared?
Which error category involves issues like the result reported incorrectly or with inappropriate units of measure?
Which error category involves issues like the result reported incorrectly or with inappropriate units of measure?
What is one negative consequence of particulate matter, like microclots, in a plasma sample?
What is one negative consequence of particulate matter, like microclots, in a plasma sample?
Which error is likely to occur if a laboratory uses less than the required volume of patient specimen in the reaction mixture?
Which error is likely to occur if a laboratory uses less than the required volume of patient specimen in the reaction mixture?
In the context of automation in laboratories, what does 'Reference Range' refer to?
In the context of automation in laboratories, what does 'Reference Range' refer to?
How does automation impact the modern laboratory's efficiency and capacity?
How does automation impact the modern laboratory's efficiency and capacity?
Which phase of the analytical process involves controlled operation by mechanical or electronic devices without human intervention?
Which phase of the analytical process involves controlled operation by mechanical or electronic devices without human intervention?
'Short sampling' in laboratory procedures can lead to which type of error?
'Short sampling' in laboratory procedures can lead to which type of error?
What are the three most common interferents in a serum or plasma sample?
What are the three most common interferents in a serum or plasma sample?
Which condition is characterized by the presence of extremely high triglycerides making the sample turbid?
Which condition is characterized by the presence of extremely high triglycerides making the sample turbid?
What is the term used to refer to samples with high bilirubin content?
What is the term used to refer to samples with high bilirubin content?
What type of errors occur as a result of unpredictable events that affect the measurement of the signal?
What type of errors occur as a result of unpredictable events that affect the measurement of the signal?
Which of the following examples represents a random error in laboratory testing?
Which of the following examples represents a random error in laboratory testing?
How can a bubble in the light path of a spectrophotometer affect test results?
How can a bubble in the light path of a spectrophotometer affect test results?
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Study Notes
Sources of Error
- Sources of error are typically divided into three categories: preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical.
Preanalytical Errors
- Occur during sample collection, transport, or processing prior to analysis
- Examples:
- Wrong test ordered
- Test order misunderstood
- Patient improperly prepared or misidentified
- Specimen collected in wrong container or with incorrect additive
- Inadequate amount of specimen collected
- Specimen transport under improper conditions
- Delay in processing and transport time
Analytical Errors
- Occur during analysis
- Examples:
- Instrument not calibrated correctly
- Interfering substances present and not recognized
- Dilution error
- Bubbles or particles present in sample
- Hemoglobin, Icterus (Bilirubin), and Lipemia are common interferents in serum or plasma samples
Postanalytical Errors
- Occur after analysis
- Examples:
- Result reported incorrectly or with inappropriate units of measure
- Result sent to wrong location
- Report delayed or incomplete
Random Errors
- Errors that occur due to unpredictable events affecting the measurement of the signal
- Examples:
- Air bubbles or particulate matter in the sample
- Pipetting a too-small volume of sample
- Particulate matter (e.g., microclots) in a plasma sample
Automation
- Defined as the mechanization of steps in procedures or the use of machines to follow a predetermined sequence of individual operations with minimal human involvement
- The modern laboratory uses a high degree of automation, allowing operators to focus on tasks that cannot be readily automated
- Automation is applied to the analytical process, which can be divided into three phases: preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical
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