Specimen HandlingQuestion 62 of 100
A cryofibrinogen test is ordered. What handling is required?
a.Transport on ice
b.Keep the specimen at 37 degrees Celsius until processed
c.Freeze the whole blood immediately
d.Refrigerate at 4 degrees Celsius for one hour before centrifuging
Explanation
Cryofibrinogen, cryoglobulins and cold agglutinins precipitate or bind when cooled, so the specimen is kept warm at body temperature from collection through processing, often using a prewarmed tube and a 37 degree carrier. Icing or refrigerating causes the target protein to drop out of solution and gives falsely low results. Freezing whole blood destroys the cells entirely.
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