Question 20

Utilizing tubes that have expired may result in loss of vacuum.

Using expired tubes can lead to a loss of vacuum, which is crucial for the proper collection of blood samples. If the vacuum is compromised, it may result in inadequate blood draw and potentially affect the quality of the sample.

A) Loss of vacuum

This option is correct because expired tubes may not maintain their vacuum integrity. The expiration can lead to a deterioration of the materials, causing the vacuum to fail, which is essential for drawing the correct volume of blood.

B) Hemoconcentration

Hemoconcentration refers to an increase in the concentration of cells and solids in the blood due to a decrease in plasma volume. While this can occur in various scenarios, it is not directly related to the use of expired tubes, making this option incorrect.

C) Hemolysis

Hemolysis is the breakdown of red blood cells, which can happen due to various factors including improper handling or certain additives in collection tubes. However, the expiration of tubes primarily affects the vacuum and not the hemolysis process, rendering this option incorrect.

D) Elevation of the red blood cell count

This option implies that using expired tubes could somehow increase red blood cell counts, which is not a direct consequence of using expired tubes. The primary issue with expired tubes is the loss of vacuum, not a change in cell counts, making this option incorrect.

Conclusion

The correct answer is that utilizing expired tubes may result in a loss of vacuum, which directly impacts the blood collection process. Other options like hemoconcentration, hemolysis, and elevation of red blood cell counts are not relevant outcomes of using expired tubes. Thus, understanding the implications of tube expiration is critical for ensuring accurate blood sample collection.