American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Histotechnician Certification Practice Exam

When should a blood glucose level not be reported if a patient has been on hold for 8 hours but drank water?

1. When the requisition form is incomplete

2. When it is the first collection of the day

3. When the patient is dehydrated

4. When the sample is compromised

The correct answer is: When the sample is compromised

A blood glucose level should not be reported when the sample is compromised because the integrity of the sample is crucial for obtaining accurate and reliable test results. Compromised samples can occur due to various factors, including delays in processing, inappropriate storage conditions, contamination, or issues related to the patient’s condition at the time of sampling. If a sample is compromised, it can lead to erroneous readings that can misguide clinical decisions and management of the patient's condition. The context of the patient drinking water does not inherently compromise the sample, but if the blood collection has significant time delays (like being held for 8 hours), it can affect metabolic readings due to the body's physiological responses. In this case, whether the sample is compromised or not directly ties into the accuracy of the test. Other factors like an incomplete requisition form or the timing of collections do not directly influence the quality of the blood sample. Being the first collection of the day does not impact the sample’s viability either, as long as there are no errors in collection or handling. Lastly, patient dehydration may affect how tests are interpreted but does not automatically compromise the sample itself. Thus, maintaining a focus on the integrity and condition of the sample is paramount when determining whether to report results.