SPECIMEN PROCESSING AND TRANSPORTATION EXAM
Ensure that the specimen is properly labeled - answer-Patient name, Patient medical record #, Collection
date and time, specimen type and source, test required, ordering physician.
Hemolysis - answer-Hemolysis is a result of red blood cells destroyed.
Hemolysis - answer-Avoid tourniquet application longer than 1 minute.
Hemolysis - answer-After cleansing with alcohol, allow the site to air-dry.
Hemolysis - answer-Do not collect a blood specimen in a site that has hematoma.
Hemolysis - answer-Avoid pulling the syringe plunger back too quickly, When mixing blood in tubes
containing Additives, gently invert them.
QNS - answer-Quanity Not Sufficent
Labeling - answer-All specimens should be properly labeled according to standard guidelines.
Packaging - answer-All specimens should be appropriately packaged in leak-proof containers. Be aware
of special requirements for specimens, including temperature, protection from light, etc.
Centrifuging - answer-Tubes are placed in a centrifuge, which then spins the specimen to separate the
contents based on density, with less dense components, such as plasma or serum forming the top
layers.
Aliquoting - answer-Specimens that need to be distributed to and processed by various labs, small
portions of the specimen, known as aliquots, are transferred into separate containers before transport.
Store specimens in the conditions appropriate to the purpose of collection - answer-Blood should be
delivered to the laboratory as soon as possible after collection, or generally within 45 minutes of
collection.
Store specimens in the conditions appropriate to the purpose of collection - answer-While some
specimens can be held for 24-48 hours before being tested, blood smears from EDTA tubes must be
processed within 1 hour of collection.
Store specimens in the conditions appropriate to the purpose of collection - answer-Some specimens,
such as cold agglutinins, are required to maintain a temperature of 37⁰ C, and heel warmers should be
wrapped around the specimen storage and transport.
Store specimens in the conditions appropriate to the purpose of collection - answer-Some specimens,
such as pyruvate and lactic acid, should be stored in ice to keep it chilled prior to transport to the
laboratory.
Ensure that the specimen is properly labeled - answer-Patient name, Patient medical record #, Collection
date and time, specimen type and source, test required, ordering physician.
Hemolysis - answer-Hemolysis is a result of red blood cells destroyed.
Hemolysis - answer-Avoid tourniquet application longer than 1 minute.
Hemolysis - answer-After cleansing with alcohol, allow the site to air-dry.
Hemolysis - answer-Do not collect a blood specimen in a site that has hematoma.
Hemolysis - answer-Avoid pulling the syringe plunger back too quickly, When mixing blood in tubes
containing Additives, gently invert them.
QNS - answer-Quanity Not Sufficent
Labeling - answer-All specimens should be properly labeled according to standard guidelines.
Packaging - answer-All specimens should be appropriately packaged in leak-proof containers. Be aware
of special requirements for specimens, including temperature, protection from light, etc.
Centrifuging - answer-Tubes are placed in a centrifuge, which then spins the specimen to separate the
contents based on density, with less dense components, such as plasma or serum forming the top
layers.
Aliquoting - answer-Specimens that need to be distributed to and processed by various labs, small
portions of the specimen, known as aliquots, are transferred into separate containers before transport.
Store specimens in the conditions appropriate to the purpose of collection - answer-Blood should be
delivered to the laboratory as soon as possible after collection, or generally within 45 minutes of
collection.
Store specimens in the conditions appropriate to the purpose of collection - answer-While some
specimens can be held for 24-48 hours before being tested, blood smears from EDTA tubes must be
processed within 1 hour of collection.
Store specimens in the conditions appropriate to the purpose of collection - answer-Some specimens,
such as cold agglutinins, are required to maintain a temperature of 37⁰ C, and heel warmers should be
wrapped around the specimen storage and transport.
Store specimens in the conditions appropriate to the purpose of collection - answer-Some specimens,
such as pyruvate and lactic acid, should be stored in ice to keep it chilled prior to transport to the
laboratory.
