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Pre-Analytical Requirements for Specimens - Coggle Diagram
Pre-Analytical Requirements for Specimens
Purpose
Maintain quality / integrity of specimen
Reduce risk of infection
Before Collection
Fasting Specimens
Avoid all food except water for 12ish hours
Body is at basal/metabolic state
EX
Glucose Tests
Lipid Panels
Pre-Warmed Collection Tubes
30 minutes - must reach 98.6F / 37C (body temp)
Preserves viability
Prevents clumping of antibodies
EX
Cold agglutination test
Cryoglobulin Test
During Collection
Specimens Drawn without Stasis
No tourniquet / no clenching fist
EX
Lactic acid test
Prevents concentration of certain substances in the blood
After Collection
Centrifuged specimens
Clot completely before spun
30-45 minutes
Temp: Room (25C / 77F)
Position: Upright
Centrifuge Time: 10-30 minutes
After spin appearance: clearish yellow
Icteric Serum
No error - yellowish, brownish, greenish caused by elevated bilirubin
Lipemic Serum
No error - cloudy milky white (turbid) due to high lipid levels
Can happen if…patient didn’t fast
Hydrolyzed Serum
Error - pinkish reddish because cell rupture during collection or handling
Aliquoted specimens
Light-sensitive specimens
Warmed specimens
Chilled specimens
Frozen specimens
Transported specimens