How do you determine specimen stability, and what action should be taken if a sample is at risk of degradation?

• A. Do nothing
• B. Analyze immediately regardless of stability
• C. Freeze all samples without checking stability
• D. Refer to stability data; refrigerate or freeze as required and expedite transport; reject if outdated

Answer: (D)

Stability is determined by consulting the stability data for that specimen type and analyte. These data specify how long the sample remains usable after collection under defined temperatures and handling conditions. If the sample is within its stability window, preserve it by following the recommended storage—refrigerate or freeze as required—and expedite transport to the laboratory to minimize degradation. If the stability window has been exceeded or the sample is otherwise at risk of degradation, reject the specimen (or request a new one) because testing it would yield unreliable results.