While preparing a serum specimen from a red-top clot tube, which of the following actions is most likely to lead to hemolysis and compromise the integrity of the serum sample during centrifugation?
Centrifuging the tube at 1 300-2 000 × g for 10 minutes as recommended.
Balancing the tube with another tube of equal volume opposite it in the rotor.
Allowing the blood to clot for 30 minutes before centrifugation.
Spinning the sample for longer than the manufacturer-recommended time at a higher g-force.
Spinning the tube longer than the manufacturer-recommended time or at a higher g-force subjects red blood cells to excessive mechanical stress, increasing the risk of hemolysis. Hemolyzed serum can falsely alter many analyte concentrations, so manufacturers and CLSI guidelines specify limits such as 10 minutes at 1 300-2 500 × g for serum tubes. Allowing blood to clot for 30 minutes, balancing tubes, and centrifuging at the recommended speed/time all help preserve sample quality and do not normally cause hemolysis.
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