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Correct Answer: vigorously shaking the anticoagulated blood specimens to completely mix the anticoagulant with the blood.
when performing venipuncture, it is crucial to handle blood specimens with care to ensure the accuracy of test results. one common error during this process is vigorously shaking the tubes that contain anticoagulated blood. this action is incorrect because it can cause significant damage to the blood cells.
normally, tubes with anticoagulants are used to prevent the blood from clotting, and these tubes need to be mixed to distribute the anticoagulant evenly throughout the blood sample. however, the correct method to mix these tubes is by gently inverting them back and forth around 5 to 10 times, depending on the specific guidelines of the tube manufacturer. this gentle inversion ensures that the anticoagulant coats the internal surface of the tube and mixes thoroughly with the blood without disrupting the integrity of the blood cells.
vigorous shaking, on the other hand, is likely to lead to hemolysis, which is the rupture of red blood cells. when red blood cells hemolyze, they release hemoglobin and other intracellular components into the plasma or serum. this contamination can significantly alter the results of many blood tests, such as potassium levels, which appear elevated due to the release of intracellular potassium from the lysed red blood cells. similarly, tests for lactate dehydrogenase (ldh) and aspartate aminotransferase (ast), which are enzymes found inside cells, may also show falsely elevated levels due to hemolysis.
incorrect handling of blood specimens, such as vigorous shaking, can therefore compromise the diagnostic accuracy, leading to potential misdiagnosis or inappropriate management of a patient's condition. it is essential for healthcare professionals to adhere strictly to best practices in specimen handling to avoid such errors. proper training and adherence to guidelines are crucial in ensuring the quality and reliability of blood test results.
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