Final answer:
A blood gas specimen that is not iced must be transported to the laboratory within 30 minutes to preserve its integrity and accuracy.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to preserve the integrity and accuracy of a blood gas specimen, it must be transported to the laboratory within a specific time frame. If the blood gas specimen is not iced, it should be transported to the laboratory within 30 minutes to avoid any potential changes in the gas levels and pH of the sample. This is because blood gas samples are sensitive to temperature and can undergo metabolic changes if not properly handled and transported.