ASCP Histotechnician Certification Practice Exam 2025 – Your All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

When preparing the venipuncture site for blood culture collection, it is essential to properly disinfect the area to minimize the risk of contamination. The recommended time for iodine (or another antiseptic solution) to remain on the skin is generally around 20 seconds. This duration allows the antiseptic to effectively kill bacteria and reduce the microbial load on the skin.

Leaving the iodine on for this amount of time ensures adequate contact time, allowing for optimal antiseptic action while also preventing any potential interference with the blood culture results. It is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the sample, as even minimal contamination can lead to false-positive results.

Options suggesting shorter or longer durations may not provide the same level of effectiveness in disinfection, leading to potential issues in the accuracy of the cultures processed from the blood sample. Therefore, adhering to the guideline of 20 seconds ensures best practices in pre-analytical blood collection procedures.