OSMT (Ontario Society of Medical Technologists) Practice Exam

What must be done to ensure correct specimen collection and handling?

1. Check the expiration dates before using swabs, tubes and transport media

2. Wear goggles and gowns at all times

3. Refrigerate all specimens immediately upon collection

4. Know how to administer first aid and CPR

The correct answer is: Check the expiration dates before using swabs, tubes and transport media

The correct choice emphasizes the importance of checking expiration dates before using swabs, tubes, and transport media, which is critical for maintaining the integrity and reliability of the specimens collected. Expired materials may compromise the results or could even lead to erroneous conclusions about a patient's condition. Ensuring that all collection materials are within their effective use period guarantees that the tests performed on the specimens will yield accurate and trustworthy results. Other practices, while essential for safety and general protocols, may not specifically address the critical aspect of specimen quality. For example, wearing goggles and gowns is important for personal protection but does not directly impact the collection and handling of specimens. Similarly, refrigeration of specimens is necessary for certain types of tests but is not universally applicable to all specimens right after collection. Knowing first aid and CPR is vital for healthcare practitioners but does not relate directly to the specimen collection process itself. Focusing on ensuring the effectiveness of collection tools strengthens the overall accuracy of laboratory diagnostics.