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

Which samples must be maintained at 37 degrees Celsius after collection?

1. Cold agglutinins and cytomegalovirus

2. Cold agglutinins and cryofibrogen

3. Cold agglutinins and coagulation factors

4. Cryoglobulins and cyrofibrogen

The correct answer is: Cold agglutinins and cryofibrogen

Maintaining samples at 37 degrees Celsius after collection is crucial for certain medical assays to ensure the integrity and viability of the analytes being tested. Cold agglutinins, which are antibodies that cause red blood cells to clump together, must be kept warm to prevent their binding and maintain their functional status. On the other hand, cryofibrinogen, a type of protein that can precipitate at lower temperatures, is also sensitive and should be stored at a constant body temperature to prevent its structural alterations. Both of these samples require a controlled temperature of 37 degrees Celsius to ensure accurate diagnostic results. When exposed to cooler conditions, cold agglutinins could agglomerate or aggregate prematurely, while cryofibrinogen might precipitate as well, leading to erroneous results in pathological examinations. The other options include various substances that either do not have the same temperature control requirements or pertain to different temperature management protocols, emphasizing the specificity of the temperature needs for cold agglutinins and cryofibrinogen.