What impact might hemolysis have on certain laboratory tests?

Hemolysis refers to the destruction of red blood cells, which releases hemoglobin and other intracellular components into the plasma. This process can significantly impact laboratory tests, particularly those measuring substances that are normally contained within red blood cells. When hemolysis occurs, it can lead to falsely elevated values for tests measuring certain analytes.

For instance, levels of potassium, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and various enzymes can be artificially elevated due to the release of these substances from the lysed cells. This can lead to misinterpretations of a patient’s condition, potentially resulting in inappropriate clinical decisions. In contrast, tests that measure substances not affected by red blood cell contents may remain unchanged.

In summary, the impact of hemolysis can lead not only to inaccuracies in laboratory results but also complications in patient management based on those results. Understanding these implications is critical for medical technologists in maintaining the quality and reliability of laboratory testing.