Which test result could be falsely elevated due to hemolysis?

Study for the Certified Phlebotomy Technician I (CPT1) Anderson CE Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question offers hints and detailed explanations. Ensure you are well-prepared for the exam!

Hemolysis, which occurs when red blood cells break down and release their contents into the plasma, can significantly influence various laboratory test results. In the case of potassium levels, when hemolysis occurs, it can lead to an artificially high reading of potassium in the serum. This happens because potassium is primarily an intracellular ion, and when red blood cells rupture, they release potassium into the bloodstream, thus altering the test result.

In contrast, while other tests might be affected by hemolysis, they do not exhibit the same extent or nature of change as potassium levels. For example, white blood cell counts may be elevated due to the release of cellular components from lysed cells, but this effect is less straightforward compared to the direct increase in potassium levels. Glucose levels may also be influenced but typically do not show a significant elevation due to hemolysis. Urinalysis results are generally not impacted by hemolysis in the same way, since they usually measure components in urine rather than blood serum.

Thus, potassium levels are particularly sensitive to hemolysis, making it the correct answer as the test result that could be falsely elevated in such cases.

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