Collection ProceduresQuestion 34 of 100
A legal blood alcohol specimen is ordered. Which site preparation is required?
a.70% isopropyl alcohol allowed to dry for one minute
b.Alcohol followed by chlorhexidine
c.No cleaning at all, to avoid contaminating the sample
d.A non-alcohol antiseptic such as povidone-iodine or soap and water
Explanation
Alcohol-based antiseptics can contaminate the specimen and cast doubt on a legally defensible result, so a non-alcohol antiseptic is used. Chlorhexidine preparations frequently contain alcohol, so combining them does not solve the problem. Skipping antisepsis entirely violates infection control and would itself invalidate the collection.
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