The Clinical Laboratory and Standards Institute (CLSI) Recommends That All

The Clinical Laboratory and Standards Institute (CLSI) recommends that all patient samples be delivered to the laboratory no more than 2 hours after collection to reduce preexamination variables caused by cellular action and the effects of prolonged exposure of samples to room temperatures because of:

A) glycolysis caused by cells' use of glucose,hemolysis and leakage of potassium from the cells into the plasma or serum,and the destruction of coagulation factors from exposure to room temperatures.
B) leakage of coagulation factors into the serum or plasma by cellular metabolism,increased potassium values caused by exposure to room temperature,and increased glucose values caused by cellular metabolism.
C) glycolysis caused by leakage from cells,increased levels of coagulation factors caused by prolonged exposure to room temperatures,and decreased potassium levels caused by cellular metabolism.
D) glycolysis caused by exposure to room temperatures,hemolysis and leakage of coagulation factors from the cells,and decreased potassium levels in the serum and plasma by cellular utilization.