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

Question: 1 / 400

What can cause a falsely decreased blood alcohol level in a sample?

Excessive shaking of the tube

The tube is only partially filled

A falsely decreased blood alcohol level can occur when the tube is only partially filled because the concentration of alcohol in the blood sample may be altered due to a lack of sufficient volume to stabilize the sample. When a tube is not completely filled, the blood is exposed to a higher proportion of the air space in the tube, which can lead to evaporation of volatile substances, including alcohol. This evaporation can dilute the sample, resulting in a lower measured alcohol concentration when the sample is tested.

This scenario emphasizes the importance of proper specimen collection techniques, as ensuring that the collection tube is filled correctly is critical to obtaining an accurate and reliable test result. Proper handling practices also help mitigate the risk of any external factors—like evaporation—that could compromise the integrity of the sample.

Get further explanation with Examzify DeepDiveBeta

The specimen was stored improperly

Using an expired tube

Next Question

Report this question

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy