Difficulty: Medium

Average Score: 50%

Which of the following specimens has a phlebotomist appropriately prepared for transport?

Rationale

A green-top tube for ammonia testing that is being shipped in an icy water mixture.

This choice is correct because ammonia samples must be kept on ice to preserve stability and prevent degradation during transport. The icy water mixture ensures that the sample remains within the required temperature range, maintaining its integrity for accurate testing.

A (A red-top tube that is being shipped after clotting for 15 min and being centrifuged) YOUR ANSWER

This option is inappropriate as red-top tubes are typically used for serum collection, and while they can be centrifuged, they should ideally be transported without delay after clotting and separation to prevent potential degradation of analytes. A 15-minute clotting time is usually insufficient for certain tests, and further delays could compromise the sample quality.

B (A tube containing serum that is being shipped after separation from a lavender-top tube) YOUR ANSWER

This choice is not suitable because lavender-top tubes are primarily used for hematology tests and contain EDTA, which can interfere with serum chemistry tests. Shipping serum that has been separated from such a tube may lead to inaccurate test results due to contamination or incorrect handling of sample types.

C (A tiger-top tube for bilirubin testing that is being shipped in a clear biohazard bag) YOUR ANSWER

While the tiger-top tube can be used for bilirubin testing, it should not be exposed to light during transport, as bilirubin is light-sensitive and can degrade if not adequately protected. A clear biohazard bag does not provide the necessary protection against light exposure, making this choice unsuitable.

Conclusion

Proper specimen preparation and transport are crucial for ensuring the reliability of laboratory test results. Among the choices provided, the green-top tube for ammonia testing shipped in an icy water mixture stands out as the only option that preserves sample integrity. The other choices present various issues related to sample handling, potential contamination, and light sensitivity, which could compromise test accuracy and reliability.

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