Which statement about processing blood specimens is true?

Which statement about processing blood specimens is true?

• A. All samples can be analyzed at any time without special handling.
• B. Anticoagulants must always be used for blood collection.
• C. Storage and handling do not depend on the analyte.
• D. Glucose requires a preservative.

Answer: (D)

Glucose levels are particularly sensitive to what happens after the blood is drawn because cells continue to metabolize glucose (glycolysis). If the sample isn’t stabilized, glycolysis lowers the measured glucose concentration, giving a falsely low result. A preservative, such as sodium fluoride, acts as a glycolysis inhibitor and is typically used in a grey-top tube (often with an anticoagulant) to preserve glucose during transport and processing. This is why stating that glucose requires a preservative is true. Other statements are not correct because not every sample can be analyzed anytime without special handling—many tests require specific anticoagulants, timely separation of serum or plasma, or particular storage conditions. Anticoagulants are not always necessary; some tests use serum without anticoagulants. Storage and handling do depend on the analyte, with different analytes requiring different temperatures, light protection, or prompt processing.

Glucose levels are particularly sensitive to what happens after the blood is drawn because cells continue to metabolize glucose (glycolysis). If the sample isn’t stabilized, glycolysis lowers the measured glucose concentration, giving a falsely low result. A preservative, such as sodium fluoride, acts as a glycolysis inhibitor and is typically used in a grey-top tube (often with an anticoagulant) to preserve glucose during transport and processing. This is why stating that glucose requires a preservative is true.

Other statements are not correct because not every sample can be analyzed anytime without special handling—many tests require specific anticoagulants, timely separation of serum or plasma, or particular storage conditions. Anticoagulants are not always necessary; some tests use serum without anticoagulants. Storage and handling do depend on the analyte, with different analytes requiring different temperatures, light protection, or prompt processing.