Which sample condition cannot be minimized by proper animal preparation or sample collection?

Which sample condition cannot be minimized by proper animal preparation or sample collection?

• A. Hemolysis
• B. Lipemia
• C. Evaporation
• D. Icterus

Answer: (A)

Some sample issues are artifacts of how the specimen is collected or handled, while others come from the animal’s physiology or pathology and can’t be solved just by technique. Hemolysis is a classic collection artifact that you can dramatically reduce with proper technique—use the right needle size, gentle venipuncture, avoid excessive tourniquet time, handle the sample softly, and process promptly. Lipemia is minimized by proper preparation, such as fasting the animal before sampling and timely sample separation to prevent postprandial lipids from lingering in the bloodstream. Evaporation is prevented by sealing the specimen and limiting exposure to air, warmth, or lengthy delays. Icterus, on the other hand, is a reflection of elevated bilirubin in the blood due to the animal’s liver function, hemolysis, or biliary issues and cannot be eliminated merely by how you prepare the animal or collect the sample. Its presence or absence is tied to the patient’s condition, not to collection technique, so it’s the factor that cannot be minimized by proper preparation or collection.

Some sample issues are artifacts of how the specimen is collected or handled, while others come from the animal’s physiology or pathology and can’t be solved just by technique. Hemolysis is a classic collection artifact that you can dramatically reduce with proper technique—use the right needle size, gentle venipuncture, avoid excessive tourniquet time, handle the sample softly, and process promptly. Lipemia is minimized by proper preparation, such as fasting the animal before sampling and timely sample separation to prevent postprandial lipids from lingering in the bloodstream. Evaporation is prevented by sealing the specimen and limiting exposure to air, warmth, or lengthy delays. Icterus, on the other hand, is a reflection of elevated bilirubin in the blood due to the animal’s liver function, hemolysis, or biliary issues and cannot be eliminated merely by how you prepare the animal or collect the sample. Its presence or absence is tied to the patient’s condition, not to collection technique, so it’s the factor that cannot be minimized by proper preparation or collection.