While working in hematology, I received a microtainer from our newborn nursery with orders to perform a CBC. As per our protocol, I checked it for a clot and finding nothing, proceeded to run it through our analyzer. The results were quite abnormal, low RBC, WBC, Hgb and almost no platelets. I was highly suspicious of a clot plus the results were inconsistent with previous ones, so my decision was to have the specimen redrawn.
As luck would have it, the same nurse who drew this specimen answered the phone. I reported that this baby’s results were highly suspect and needed to be redrawn. When she asked me why I told her I suspected it had a clot to which she replied emphatically, “That’s impossible, I removed the clot before I sent the specimen to the lab, those results are valid!” We had the specimen redrawn with totally normal results.
Submitted by:
Judith Rose
Medical Technologist/Scientist
Kansas, USA
Nooo waaay! 🤣
I recieved a red colored stool from a child for an occult blood test. Nurse freaked out when I reported a negative result (I already repeated the test before I called).
Nurse: Impossible! The stool was red!
Me: What has he been eating?
Nurse: He will only eat cherry popsicles.
Me: …
Nurse: Oh….
Haha good one!