Specimen Handling and Processing Flashcards
7 cards from real Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Specimen Handling and Processing flashcards as text
A lavender-top tube is received in the lab without a label. What is the correct action?
Answer: Discard it and request a redraw
Unlabeled specimens must be discarded and a redraw requested because mislabeled or unlabeled specimens are a critical patient safety risk.
Which temperature range is correct for transporting most routine chemistry specimens?
Answer: Room temperature (20–25°C)
Most routine chemistry specimens are transported at room temperature (20–25°C) unless otherwise specified by the test requirement.
How long can a serum specimen typically remain at room temperature before centrifugation must occur?
Answer: Up to 2 hours
Most serum specimens should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection to prevent analyte degradation and hemolysis.
Which additive in a gray-top tube prevents glycolysis in glucose specimens?
Answer: Potassium oxalate and sodium fluoride
Gray-top tubes contain potassium oxalate (anticoagulant) and sodium fluoride (glycolysis inhibitor) to stabilize glucose levels.
A phlebotomist notices a clot in a lavender-top EDTA tube. What does this indicate?
Answer: Insufficient mixing after collection
Clotting in an EDTA tube indicates the specimen was not mixed adequately immediately after collection, allowing coagulation to begin.
Which specimen requires protection from light during transport and processing?
Answer: Bilirubin
Bilirubin is photosensitive and degrades rapidly when exposed to light, requiring amber bags or foil wrapping during transport.
When centrifuging blood specimens, what is the typical relative centrifugal force (RCF) range used for routine separation?
Answer: 1,000–2,000 × g
Routine blood specimen centrifugation uses approximately 1,000–2,000 × g (RCF) to separate cells from serum or plasma without damaging cells.