One clinical laboratory scientist is covering the "manual bench" in the hematology laboratory, which is where body fluid examinations are done. Just as she is preparing to go on break, she receives simultaneously two specimens, one a CSF and one a BAL fluid. Both are marked "stat." What should she do first?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When specimens are marked "stat," it means they are urgent and require immediate attention. In this case, the clinical laboratory scientist should prioritize the CSF examination over the BAL fluid since CSF is a more critical body fluid and the results may be needed urgently for diagnosis or treatment. Therefore, the best choice is to analyze the CSF first.

One Clinical Laboratory Scientist Is Covering the "Manual Bench" in the Hematology