Inverting plain glass tubes can lead to hemolysis.

Inverting plain glass tubes can lead to hemolysis.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Depends
• D. Only with EDTA tubes

Answer: (A)

Mechanical trauma to red blood cells during sample handling causes hemolysis. When you invert a blood tube, the blood is subjected to shear forces; doing this too vigorously or too many times can rupture cell membranes and release hemoglobin into the plasma or serum. Plain glass tubes have no additives to aid mixing, and often require less vigorous handling; the risk comes from applying more force than necessary. So, inverting plain glass tubes can lead to hemolysis if you mix or invert too aggressively, which is why you’re advised to handle specimens gently and only as needed. Hemolyzed samples can distort many tests and are often rejected or require recollection.

Mechanical trauma to red blood cells during sample handling causes hemolysis. When you invert a blood tube, the blood is subjected to shear forces; doing this too vigorously or too many times can rupture cell membranes and release hemoglobin into the plasma or serum. Plain glass tubes have no additives to aid mixing, and often require less vigorous handling; the risk comes from applying more force than necessary. So, inverting plain glass tubes can lead to hemolysis if you mix or invert too aggressively, which is why you’re advised to handle specimens gently and only as needed. Hemolyzed samples can distort many tests and are often rejected or require recollection.