American Medical Technologist (AMT) Practice Exam 2026 – All-in-One Resource to Guarantee Exam Success!

Bilirubin testing specifically requires protection from sunlight because exposure to light can lead to the degradation of bilirubin. When bilirubin is exposed to UV light, it undergoes photodecomposition, which can result in falsely low levels of bilirubin in the test sample. This can compromise the accuracy of the results, leading to misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment considerations.

Bilirubin is important for assessing liver function and diagnosing conditions such as jaundice, so the integrity of the specimen is critical for obtaining reliable data. The practice of using amber-colored containers or aluminum foil to cover specimens is a common method to prevent light exposure during transportation and storage.

In contrast, other tests such as glucose, protein, and urobilinogen do not require such stringent light protection, as they are not adversely affected by exposure to sunlight in the same way bilirubin is. Understanding this necessity for bilirubin testing is crucial for ensuring the validity of laboratory results and appropriate patient care.