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

Why should all testing on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples be performed within 1 hour of collection?

1. To avoid contamination

2. To prevent temperature-dependent cytolysis

3. To ensure proper labeling

4. To comply with safety regulations

The correct answer is: To prevent temperature-dependent cytolysis

The correct answer focuses on preventing temperature-dependent cytolysis, which is crucial when handling cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. CSF is a delicate fluid that can undergo changes if not processed quickly, especially with regard to its cellular components. When CSF is left at room temperature for extended periods, cells in the fluid can begin to break down or lyse due to enzymatic activity and changes in osmotic pressure, leading to inaccurate results in subsequent analyses, such as cell counts or cytological examinations. Maintaining the integrity of the specimens by processing them quickly minimizes the risk of these temperature-related alterations, ensuring that any diagnostic evaluations based on the sample reflect the true state of the patient’s condition. By adhering to the one-hour rule, laboratories can ensure that the conditions under which the CSF is analyzed remain as close to physiological conditions as possible, leading to more reliable and accurate test results. Other choices, while important aspects of laboratory practices, do not directly address the specific harm caused by delaying processing of CSF samples.