Sometimes it is necessary to start treating a patient immediately.. Doing so can impact subsequent laboratory testing. When possible, it is advisable to collect blood samples prior to starting therapy.
Intervention
Effect on Subsequent Testing
administering parenteral antibiotics
false negative blood culture
glucose infusion for hypoglycemic symptoms
higher blood glucose levels compared to pre-infusion
transfusion of cryoprecipitate
higher values for fibrinogen and Factor 8
transfusion of packed red blood cells
mixture of donor and recipient red blood cells
transfusion of fresh frozen plasma
donor antibodies
transfusion of white blood cells
mixture of donor and recipient WBCs and DNA
electrolytes
higher blood concentration
fluids
lower plasma osmolality
immunoglobulin
higher blood concentration, different specificities
drug infusion
higher drug concentration
Often the effect is transient. For transfusions and immunoglobulin infusions the impact may last for weeks or months.
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