Factors that Alter Laboratory Results

Information on understanding the factors that can alter Laboratory Results and must be observe carefully to eliminate errors in reporting.

If you're collecting a sample for a patient for laboratory testing, make sure to consider some factors that may possibly alter his/her results. Depending on the procedure requested, these factors may include:


  • Incorrect pretest diet
  • Current drug therapy
  • Type of illness
  • Dehydration
  • Position or activity at time of specimen collection
  • Postprandial status (ie, time patient last ate)
  • Time of day
  • Pregnancy
  • Level of patient knowledge and understanding of testing process
  • Stress
  • Nonadherence or noncompliance with instructions and pretest preparation
  • Undisclosed drug or alcohol use
  • Age and gender

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