Which of the following occurs if testing is not performed with 24 hours from specimen collection?
a. White blood count rises
b. WBCs deteriorate and RBCs swell
c. Hemoglobin rises
d. MCV decreases
ANS: B
Sample age can have a profound effect on blood cell analysis. Specific problems with older samples include WBC fragility and loss, swelling (which increases the MCV) and possible lysis of RBCs, and the deterioration of platelets.
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