In specimen handling, which condition can cause a false decrease in the measured analyte if the sample is not kept on ice slurry?

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Multiple Choice

In specimen handling, which condition can cause a false decrease in the measured analyte if the sample is not kept on ice slurry?

Maintaining the right temperature during specimen handling is essential because many analytes are unstable once a sample is collected. If a blood sample isn’t kept on an ice slurry, the cells remain metabolically active and continue consuming glucose, causing the measured glucose level to drop below its true value. Cooling slows or stops this glycolysis, so the result better reflects the patient’s actual level. Delayed processing can affect results too, but the direct reason for a false decrease described here is the lack of cooling. Light exposure or hemolysis can alter other measurements in different ways, but they’re not the primary cause of this specific artifact.

Maintaining the right temperature during specimen handling is essential because many analytes are unstable once a sample is collected. If a blood sample isn’t kept on an ice slurry, the cells remain metabolically active and continue consuming glucose, causing the measured glucose level to drop below its true value. Cooling slows or stops this glycolysis, so the result better reflects the patient’s actual level. Delayed processing can affect results too, but the direct reason for a false decrease described here is the lack of cooling. Light exposure or hemolysis can alter other measurements in different ways, but they’re not the primary cause of this specific artifact.

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