Final answer:
Common non-blood specimens collected include urine, plasma, and skin samples. In blood testing, serum measurements for substances like glucose are important, and proper sample labeling and handling are essential to the medical process.
Step-by-step explanation:
When it comes to medical testing, a range of non-blood specimens are commonly collected for analysis. These include urine samples, which may be collected for routine testing during a medical exam; plasma samples, which are often obtained from blood that has been treated with an anticoagulant like K2EDTA or lithium heparin and then centrifuged; and skin samples, taken from the external surface of the skin for various tests. Another important aspect of medical lab testing is ensuring that any samples taken, such as blood for transfusions, are correctly cross-matched to the patient's blood type, unless an emergency necessitates the use of universal donor blood, which is type O.
Specifically related to blood specimens, serum measurements are used to determine normal levels of substances in the blood, with serum referring to plasma from which clotting factors have been removed. This includes measurements for glucose levels in the blood, a critical test for monitoring conditions like diabetes. Proper labeling and handling of all specimens is crucial in the medical process to prevent errors and ensure accurate analysis.