A phlebotomist has collected a lactic acid sample and needs to prepare the sample for processing and transportation. Which of the following methods is correct?
Chill the sample.
Protect the sample from light.
Attach a heat block to the sample.
Freeze the sample.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason:
Chilling the sample is the correct method for preparing a lactic acid sample for processing and transportation. Lactic acid levels can continue to change after the blood is drawn due to ongoing cellular metabolism. Chilling the sample slows down this metabolism, preserving the accuracy of the lactic acid measurement. The sample should be placed on ice or in a refrigerated environment as soon as possible after collection.
Choice B reason:
While protecting the sample from light is important for some types of specimens, it is not the primary concern for lactic acid samples. The key factor for lactic acid stability is temperature control, not light exposure. Therefore, while it may be beneficial to keep the sample out of direct sunlight, chilling it is the priority to prevent changes in lactic acid levels.
Choice C reason:
Attaching a heat block to the sample is not a recommended method for lactic acid samples. Heat can increase metabolic activity, potentially altering the lactic acid levels in the sample. This would lead to inaccurate results, as the goal is to preserve the state of the sample at the time of collection.
Choice D reason:
Freezing the sample is not typically recommended for immediate processing and transportation of a lactic acid sample. While freezing can preserve certain types of specimens for long-term storage, it is not necessary for short-term transport and can cause issues such as hemolysis, which may interfere with the test results.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Quality control measurements are essential for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of blood glucose monitors. According to best practices, all blood glucose monitors in use, regardless of their origin, should undergo daily quality control checks. This is to verify that the monitors are functioning correctly and providing accurate readings, which is crucial for patient care and treatment decisions.
Choice B reason:
Focusing only on the blood glucose monitors from the new office for daily quality control measurements is not sufficient. While new equipment may be less likely to have wear-and-tear issues that could affect performance, it is still subject to potential inaccuracies and must be included in the daily quality control routine.
Choice C reason:
Similarly, excluding the new monitors and only checking those from the old medical office would neglect the possibility of inaccuracies in the newer equipment. All monitors, irrespective of their age, can experience calibration drift or other issues that affect their performance.
Choice D reason:
Opting not to perform daily quality control measurements on any of the blood glucose monitors would be against the recommended guidelines and could lead to inaccurate blood glucose readings. This could have serious implications for patient health, particularly in the management of diabetes.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason:
The specimen source is critical information that must be included with a non-blood specimen delivered to the laboratory. It identifies the origin of the specimen, such as urine, cerebrospinal fluid, or a swab from a specific site. This information is essential for the laboratory to process and analyze the specimen appropriately.
Choice B reason:
While the specimen color may be noted for certain types of specimens, it is not a required piece of information for all non-blood specimens. Color can be an important characteristic for some analyses, but it is not as critical as the specimen source for laboratory processing.
Choice C reason:
Specimen temperature is not typically documented upon delivery to the laboratory unless the specimen requires temperature control during transport, such as certain microbiological cultures. In general, the temperature at the time of collection is not a standard requirement.
Choice D reason:
Specimen clarity might be relevant for specific tests, such as urine analysis, where clarity can indicate the presence of substances like proteins or crystals. However, it is not a universally required piece of information for all non-blood specimens.
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