Final answer:
In a hurricane disaster area, plastic tubes should be preferred for hematology testing due to their durability and safety over glass tubes. They allow for easier transport and minimize additional risks. O-negative blood is used in critical emergencies, being the universal donor type.
Step-by-step explanation:
Choosing Between Glass and Plastic Tubes for Hematology Testing
When traveling to a hurricane disaster area for hematological testing, it would be advisable to choose plastic tubes over glass tubes. Plastic tubes are preferable because they are more durable and less likely to break in the rough conditions that often accompany disaster relief efforts. They also do not require the same level of care during transport as glass tubes, which are more fragile and could potentially cause injury if broken. Furthermore, plastic tubes are lighter, which aids in ease of transportation. It is paramount in disaster scenarios to minimize any additional risks. Therefore, using plastic tubes can be considered a safer and more practical option for collecting blood samples.
During the hour that a blood sample rests in a glass tube, the blood typically clots, and the solid components settle to the bottom due to gravity. This separation allows the clear, cell-free serum to be harvested for further analysis. Serum is often used in diagnostic testing because it excludes clotting factors, which are consumed in the formation of the clot. It is this serum that is crucial for many laboratory tests, including certain hematology assays that you will be conducting in the disaster area.
In a critical emergency where a patient is severely bleeding, O-negative blood is transfused because it is the universal donor type and is unlikely to cause an adverse reaction when the blood type of the patient is unknown. This ensures that medics can quickly provide life-saving treatment without having to wait for blood typing results.