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

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Within how many hours must blood specimens for prothrombin time testing be analyzed?

12 hours
24 hours
48 hours
1 hour

The correct answer is: 24 hours

For prothrombin time (PT) testing, it is crucial to analyze blood specimens within a specific timeframe to ensure accurate results. Blood specimens for PT testing should ideally be processed within 24 hours to maintain the stability of the coagulation factors, specifically prothrombin. The integrity of these factors diminishes over time, which can lead to misleading results if the sample is not analyzed promptly. While some coagulation factors remain stable longer than others, testing within 24 hours is generally accepted to avoid any significant degradation that could potentially affect clinical decisions. This timeframe aligns with guidelines aimed at ensuring reliable and clinically relevant laboratory results. Other times listed, such as 12 hours, 48 hours, or 1 hour, do not align with the standard practices regarding the safe handling and testing window for PT specimens.