American Medical Technologist (AMT) Practice Exam

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Prepare for the American Medical Technologist Exam with flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question includes helpful hints and detailed explanations. Get exam-ready!

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What can cause a falsely decreased blood alcohol level in a sample?

Excessive shaking of the tube
The tube is only partially filled
The specimen was stored improperly
Using an expired tube

The correct answer is: The tube is only partially filled

A falsely decreased blood alcohol level can occur when the tube is only partially filled because the concentration of alcohol in the blood sample may be altered due to a lack of sufficient volume to stabilize the sample. When a tube is not completely filled, the blood is exposed to a higher proportion of the air space in the tube, which can lead to evaporation of volatile substances, including alcohol. This evaporation can dilute the sample, resulting in a lower measured alcohol concentration when the sample is tested. This scenario emphasizes the importance of proper specimen collection techniques, as ensuring that the collection tube is filled correctly is critical to obtaining an accurate and reliable test result. Proper handling practices also help mitigate the risk of any external factors—like evaporation—that could compromise the integrity of the sample.