American Medical Certification Association (AMCA) Phlebotomy Practice Exam

Even if the lab is busy, what should you do with the samples?

1. Store them at room temperature

2. Send samples

3. Refrigerate until further notice

4. Discard them

The correct answer is: Send samples

Sending the samples is crucial to ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment for patients. When samples are collected, they may contain vital information that can significantly impact patient care. In a busy laboratory environment, it might be tempting to delay sending samples to manage workflow, but this could compromise the integrity of the samples and lead to potential inaccuracies in testing results. Proper handling and prompt transportation of samples are essential for maintaining their stability and ensuring that tests are performed within the recommended time frame. Certain samples may have specific requirements regarding temperature control or processing time, which can be hindered by unnecessary delays. By sending the samples as soon as possible, phlebotomists can help avoid degradation or changes in the samples that could misrepresent the patient's condition. Storing samples at room temperature, refrigerating them, or discarding them would not typically adhere to best practices in phlebotomy and laboratory protocols, making prompt sending of samples the most appropriate action to take, regardless of the lab's current workload. Such protocols are often guided by laboratory policies to ensure effective patient management and accurate laboratory results.