Correct Answer: reagent strips should be stored at room temperature below 35 degrees centigrade.
reagent strips, commonly used in medical diagnostics for testing bodily fluids like urine, are sensitive to environmental conditions, handling, and storage methods. proper care ensures their accuracy and reliability. each of the options provided in the question addresses different aspects of handling or storage conditions, but only one represents an improper practice.
the first option, "remove strips just prior to testing," is a proper handling procedure. removing strips only when they are about to be used minimizes their exposure to environmental factors like humidity or contaminants that could affect their chemical properties.
the second option, "reagent strips should be stored at room temperature below 35 degrees centigrade," is generally correct, although it’s essential to always check the manufacturer's specific recommendations. most reagent strips are recommended to be stored at a cool and stable temperature to prevent the degradation of the chemical reagents on the strips. storing them at a temperature significantly higher or lower than recommended can lead to inaccurate results.
the third option, "do not touch the chemical pads when removing the strips," is also a crucial handling guideline. oils and dirt from the skin can contaminate the chemical pads on the strips, potentially leading to false readings. using tweezers or wearing gloves, and handling the strips by the edges, can prevent this contamination.
the fourth option, "reagent strip containers should not be opened in the presence of volatile fumes," highlights an important storage consideration. volatile fumes can alter the chemical composition of the reagents on the strips, leading to compromised function and inaccurate test results.
given these considerations, all options listed correctly address proper handling and storage methods for reagent strips, except for repetitive statements about the temperature condition to store the reagent strips, which might appear confusing but aren't inherently incorrect. the critical point here is that all these guidelines help maintain the integrity of the reagent strips so they can provide reliable diagnostic results.
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