California Phlebotomy Certification Practice Exam

What is the expected finding in a blood sample of a patient who had a meal of meat and cheese prior to the draw?

1. The specimen is hemolyzed

2. The specimen is icteric

3. The specimen is lipemic

4. The specimen is normal

The correct answer is: The specimen is lipemic

The expected finding in a blood sample of a patient who has just consumed a meal rich in meat and cheese is that the specimen would be lipemic. This is due to the fact that food high in fats and proteins can lead to an increase in triglycerides and other lipids in the bloodstream shortly after consumption. When a patient eats such a meal, especially one that is high in fat, the lipids can become suspended in the blood, resulting in a cloudy or milky appearance of the serum or plasma when the blood is centrifuged. Lipemia can interfere with certain laboratory tests, potentially leading to inaccurate results if not properly noted. It’s important for phlebotomists to be aware of a patient's dietary intake before drawing blood, as this can significantly affect the interpretation of biochemical tests. The other findings, such as hemolysis (rupture of red blood cells) and icterus (a condition characterized by an increase in bilirubin leading to a yellow appearance), would not typically be expected solely from a dietary intake of meat and cheese. A normal specimen would lack the notable visual signs associated with lipemia, indicating no recent fat-rich meal was consumed prior to the blood draw.