A chemistry specimen collected at 1100h sits unspun until 1300h. Which analyte is most likely to be falsely decreased?

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Multiple Choice

A chemistry specimen collected at 1100h sits unspun until 1300h. Which analyte is most likely to be falsely decreased?

When a blood specimen sits unspun, the cells inside keep metabolizing substances, including glucose. Glycolysis continues in red cells and leukocytes, so the glucose level in the plasma drops over time. Because of this ongoing consumption, glucose is the analyte most likely to appear falsely decreased if the sample isn’t processed promptly. Ammonia tends to rise with delayed handling, and bilirubin and LDH are less directly affected by a delay in spinning; they’re more influenced by other factors like sample handling or light exposure. To prevent the decrease in glucose, separate plasma promptly or use a glycolysis-inhibiting tube, and keep the sample on ice or refrigerate if processing will be delayed.

When a blood specimen sits unspun, the cells inside keep metabolizing substances, including glucose. Glycolysis continues in red cells and leukocytes, so the glucose level in the plasma drops over time. Because of this ongoing consumption, glucose is the analyte most likely to appear falsely decreased if the sample isn’t processed promptly. Ammonia tends to rise with delayed handling, and bilirubin and LDH are less directly affected by a delay in spinning; they’re more influenced by other factors like sample handling or light exposure. To prevent the decrease in glucose, separate plasma promptly or use a glycolysis-inhibiting tube, and keep the sample on ice or refrigerate if processing will be delayed.

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