NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)Specimen HandlingEasy
A phlebotomy technician is preparing to centrifuge a blood specimen. Which of the following actions should the technician take to prevent hemolysis?
- ACentrifuge the specimen immediately after collection.
- BEnsure the centrifuge is balanced with tubes of equal volume.
- CRemove the stopper from the tube before centrifugation.
- DIncrease the centrifugation speed to reduce processing time.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Ensure the centrifuge is balanced with tubes of equal volume.
Balancing the centrifuge with tubes of equal volume and opposite placement is crucial to prevent vibration and uneven forces that can cause hemolysis. Unbalanced centrifugation can damage red blood cells.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Centrifuging a specimen too soon, especially a serum tube, can lead to incomplete clotting and fibrin formation, not directly preventing hemolysis.
- C. Removing the stopper before centrifugation can lead to aerosol formation and specimen contamination, not preventing hemolysis.
- D. Increasing centrifugation speed excessively can damage red blood cells and cause hemolysis.
Centrifuge Balancing
Balancing a centrifuge involves placing tubes of equal volume and weight opposite each other to ensure smooth, stable rotation and prevent damage to specimens.
- Prevents vibration and uneven forces.
- Essential for preventing hemolysis.
- Use water-filled tubes if needed to balance.
Memory trick: Spinning smooth keeps blood cells sound.