NHA Phlebotomy Certification Practice Exam

What should a phlebotomist tell a patient who is collecting a semen specimen for testing?

1. Deliver the specimen within 24 hours

2. Keep the specimen at room temperature

3. Keep it next to the body and deliver it immediately

4. Refrigerate the specimen until delivery

The correct answer is: Keep it next to the body and deliver it immediately

When a phlebotomist instructs a patient on how to collect and handle a semen specimen for testing, it is essential to emphasize the importance of maintaining the specimen's viability and integrity during transport. Keeping the specimen next to the body is recommended because the warmth helps maintain the appropriate temperature for the sperm, which is crucial for accurate testing results. Immediate delivery is also important because semen specimens are sensitive to temperature extremes and time delays can adversely affect the quality of the sample. Sperm viability decreases if the specimen is not kept warm or is subjected to premature cooling, which is why prompt delivery is vital to ensure reliable laboratory analysis. Maintaining the specimen at room temperature or refrigerating it would not support optimal conditions for the sperm, potentially compromising the test results. Therefore, the guidance to keep it adjacent to the body and deliver it without delay is the most effective method for preserving the integrity of the specimen.