CAMLPR Specimen Collection Competency Practice Test

Platelet storage is about preserving their function and circulation time after transfusion. Platelets are kept at room temperature, typically around 20-24°C, with continuous gentle agitation. This setup helps maintain their viability and prevents clumping, ensuring they work properly when transfused. They have a limited shelf life, usually about five days, so they should be used within a few days of collection. They should also be protected from light during storage to minimize any potential light-related changes to the product. Storing platelets between 2-8°C is not correct, because refrigeration alters platelet surface properties and causes them to be cleared from the bloodstream more rapidly, reducing their effectiveness.