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What test requires that it be chilled in ice right after collection?

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The test that requires chilling in ice right after blood collection is typically related to RNA analysis or enzymatic activity tests, where the integrity of the sample needs to be preserved to prevent degradation or change in sample composition.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question you asked pertains to a specific blood test that requires immediate chilling after collection. This is done to stabilize the sample or certain components within the sample and typically refers to tests involving RNA analysis or certain enzymatic activities that can be altered at room temperature. In medical or biological research settings, it is not unusual to collect blood samples into tubes containing anticoagulants like lithium heparin, K2EDTA, or sodium heparin and immediately chill them on ice or at ultra-low temperatures to preserve the integrity of the sample prior to plasma separation by centrifugation.

For instance, when working with RNA, samples must be kept on ice immediately after collection because RNA can degrade rapidly at room temperature. The chilling process helps to prevent any changes in the sample composition that could affect the test results. In some cases, other types of samples, such as bacterial cultures or certain medical specimens, will also require storage at extremely low temperatures, possibly using dry ice or liquid nitrogen tanks, to preserve them for long-term storage or transport.

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