NAPTP Specimen Processing and Handling

Question 1

What is the maximum time a whole blood specimen should sit before being centrifuged if serum is required?

Accepted Answer

60 minutes

Answer

15 minutes

Answer

30 minutes

Answer

2 hours

Question 2

Which additive tube must NEVER be centrifuged?

Accepted Answer

EDTA (lavender)

Answer

SST (gold)

Answer

Lithium heparin (green)

Answer

Sodium citrate (light blue)

Question 3

A specimen labeled 'STAT' should be processed within how many minutes of collection?

Accepted Answer

15 minutes

Answer

30 minutes

Answer

45 minutes

Answer

60 minutes

Question 4

When transporting a cold-sensitive specimen, which method is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Transport in ice slurry at 0–4°C

Answer

Place in a heat block at 37°C

Answer

Keep at room temperature in a sealed bag

Answer

Freeze immediately at -20°C

Question 5

Which of the following causes hemolysis in a blood specimen?

Accepted Answer

Forcing blood through a small-gauge needle rapidly

Answer

Inverting the tube gently 8 times

Answer

Allowing adequate clotting time

Answer

Labeling the tube before collection

Question 6

What does a hemolyzed specimen indicate when visually inspected?

Accepted Answer

Pink to red discoloration of serum or plasma

Answer

Clear, pale yellow serum or plasma

Answer

Dark brown discoloration

Answer

Milky white turbid appearance

Question 7

A lipemic specimen appears:

Accepted Answer

Milky or cloudy white

Answer

Clear and colorless

Answer

Pink or red

Answer

Dark brown