Question

The following procedural error can cause specimen hemolysis

a) Mixing additive tubes too vigorously
b) Pulling the plunger back too quickly during a syringe draw
c) Using a needle that is too small for a venipuncture
d) All of the above

Answer 1

All of the mentioned procedural errors can cause specimen hemolysis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is d) All of the above. All of the mentioned procedural errors can cause specimen hemolysis. Mixing additive tubes too vigorously can cause the red blood cells to rupture, resulting in hemolysis. Pulling the plunger back too quickly during a syringe draw can create a vacuum that causes the red blood cells to rupture as well. Using a needle that is too small for a venipuncture can result in the cells being sheared or damaged, leading to specimen hemolysis.

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