Final answer:
An icteric specimen is a blood or bodily fluid sample with a yellow discoloration, indicating jaundice due to the accumulation of excess bilirubin. Normal bilirubin levels are less than 1 mg/100ml, and higher levels may indicate hyperbilirubinemia and lead to jaundice.
Step-by-step explanation:
An icteric specimen refers to a blood or bodily fluid sample that exhibits a yellow discoloration, which is indicative of jaundice or icterus. This yellowing occurs when there is an accumulation of hemoglobin degradation products, such as bilirubin, in the blood and peripheral tissues. The normal concentration of bilirubin in blood is less than 1 mg/100ml (17.1 μmol/L). When the bilirubin level exceeds this, it results in a condition known as hyperbilirubinemia. In instances where the bile pigment concentration surpasses 2 mg/100 ml of blood, there can be diffusion of bilirubin into peripheral tissues giving them a yellow coloration, resulting in jaundice.