Phlebotomy Test Specimen Processing and Handling 2

Question 1

What is the maximum time a whole blood specimen should remain at room temperature before centrifugation?

Accepted Answer

60 minutes

Answer

15 minutes

Answer

30 minutes

Answer

2 hours

Question 2

Which additive tube must NEVER be inverted after collection?

Accepted Answer

None — all tubes require inversion

Answer

EDTA (lavender)

Answer

Sodium citrate (light blue)

Answer

Red/gold serum separator

Question 3

A serum specimen appears hemolyzed. Which analyte result is MOST likely to be falsely elevated?

Accepted Answer

Potassium

Answer

Sodium

Answer

Calcium

Answer

Glucose

Question 4

When processing a urine culture specimen, the preferred storage condition before transport is:

Accepted Answer

Refrigeration at 2–8°C up to 24 hours

Answer

Room temperature up to 24 hours

Answer

Frozen at −20°C

Answer

37°C incubator to preserve organisms

Question 5

What does 'aliquoting' a specimen mean in the laboratory context?

Accepted Answer

Dividing the specimen into smaller portions for separate tests or storage

Answer

Discarding the primary tube after testing

Answer

Centrifuging the specimen twice

Answer

Labeling a specimen with a secondary barcode

Question 6

Which tube color is used for plasma protein electrophoresis requiring heparin anticoagulant?

Accepted Answer

Green (lithium or sodium heparin)

Answer

Light blue (sodium citrate)

Answer

Lavender (EDTA)

Answer

Gray (potassium oxalate/sodium fluoride)

Question 7

A specimen labeled 'STAT' arrives at the lab. According to standard processing guidelines, it should be processed within:

Accepted Answer

30 minutes

Answer

5 minutes

Answer

15 minutes

Answer

60 minutes