NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)Specimen HandlingHard
A phlebotomy technician is preparing to transport a blood gas (ABG) specimen. Which of the following actions is critical to maintain the integrity of the specimen?
- ATransport the specimen at room temperature to prevent gas solubility changes.
- BMix the specimen vigorously to ensure full anticoagulation.
- CPlace the specimen on ice immediately after collection.
- DCentrifuge the specimen within 15 minutes of collection.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Place the specimen on ice immediately after collection.
Blood gas specimens (ABGs) are highly sensitive to metabolic changes. Placing the specimen on ice immediately after collection slows down cellular metabolism, which helps to maintain the stability of blood gas parameters (pH, pO2, pCO2) by reducing oxygen consumption and CO2 production by blood cells.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Transporting at room temperature allows cellular metabolism to continue rapidly, significantly altering blood gas values over a short period.
- B. Vigorous mixing can cause hemolysis and introduce air bubbles, both of which will alter blood gas results.
- D. ABG specimens are typically analyzed directly from whole blood and are not centrifuged, as separation would alter the gas parameters.
ABG Specimen Icing
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) specimens must be placed on ice immediately after collection to slow cellular metabolism and preserve the stability of blood gas parameters.
- Slows down cellular metabolism.
- Maintains pH, pO2, pCO2 stability.
- Crucial for accurate results.
Memory trick: ABG needs to be 'chill' to get the 'real' picture.