What is the consequence of not mixing additive tubes immediately after collection?

Immediate mixing of additive tubes after collection is crucial for maintaining sample integrity due to the properties of the additives present in these tubes. Additives are designed to interact with the blood sample to ensure that it is preserved appropriately for the specific tests that will be performed. When blood is drawn into a tube containing an additive, the additive begins to act on the sample right away, influencing elements like coagulation and preventing cellular changes.

If the sample is not mixed immediately, the additives may not have the opportunity to adequately interact with the blood. This can lead to separation of components, clotting issues, or degradation of analytes, which ultimately affects the accuracy and reliability of subsequent test results. Maintaining the integrity of the sample is critical for obtaining valid lab results, making the immediate mixing of additive tubes a best practice in the collection process.

In this context, while issues such as contamination or air bubbles may arise under different circumstances, they are not the primary consequence of failing to mix additive tubes right away. Additionally, a rise in temperature in the sample itself does not directly result from the mixing delay. Thus, the key concern remains the compromise of sample integrity, which can lead to inaccurate laboratory results.