A night tech is working in microbiology when a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)specimen comes in.Almost simultaneously,the tech is called to the emergency department to draw blood on seriously injured car accident victims.How would the tech store the CSF until time permits to work on the CSF specimen?
A) Put the specimen in the refrigerator where it is good for 4 hours at 4° C.
B) Leave the specimen on the shelf where it is good for 6 hours at room temperature.
C) Pour the specimen into a tube of broth.
D) Place the specimen in a 35° C incubator for 6 hours.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Because CSF specimens are usually home to fastidious pathogens,creating an environment closest to that in the body will preserve the organisms the longest.So placing the specimen in a 35° C incubator for 6 hours will allow for maximum organism recovery.Leaving the tube in a refrigerator or at room temperature will cause the fragile organisms to die.CSF is always cultured according to protocol,and the entire specimen is never poured into a tube of broth to preserve it.

A Night Tech Is Working in Microbiology When a Cerebrospinal