American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Histotechnician Certification Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $4.99 payment

Prepare for the ASCP Histotechnician Certification Exam with practice questions and detailed explanations. Enhance your knowledge and skills to excel in the exam.

Practice this question and more.

What is the primary purpose of using an acid washed syringe?

To ensure sterility
To reduce contamination
To analyze for trace elements
To enhance blood flow

The correct answer is: To analyze for trace elements

The primary purpose of using an acid-washed syringe is to analyze for trace elements. Acid-washing is a specific cleaning process that removes trace contaminants from the surface of the syringe, which can significantly interfere with analytical results when measuring elements in a sample. When samples are collected for trace element analysis, it is crucial to eliminate any potential sources of contamination that might skew the results. Regular syringes may retain residues that can introduce extraneous elements into the sample. Thus, using acid-washed syringes helps ensure that the samples obtained are as pure as possible, thereby allowing for accurate measurements of trace elements.