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

For how long can specimens for capillary blood gases be stored in an ice slurry?

1. 1 hour

2. 2 hours

3. 3 hours

4. 4 hours

The correct answer is: 2 hours

The correct answer is that capillary blood gas specimens can be stored in an ice slurry for 2 hours. This time frame is crucial because the integrity of blood gas measurements is highly dependent on the preservation of the specimen immediately after collection. When blood gas specimens, including those from capillary sources, are exposed to ambient temperature, there can be significant changes in their pH, carbon dioxide, and oxygen levels due to metabolic processes occurring after collection. Storing the specimens in an ice slurry slows down these processes, but only up to a certain time limit. After 2 hours, the potential for alterations in the blood gas values increases, making results less reliable. Adequate handling and storage within this time frame ensure that the specimen reflects the patient’s actual physiological state more accurately, which is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment. Understanding this storage guideline helps ensure that histotechnicians maintain the quality of specimens and adhere to best practices in laboratory medicine.