When a specimen is suspected to be contaminated by an IV line, what is the recommended approach?

• A. Collect from IV line
• B. Recollect from a clean site or different arm after removing the IV if allowed
• C. Adjust the sample without recollection
• D. Skip collection

Answer: (B)

When a specimen might be contaminated by an IV line, the goal is to preserve sample integrity by avoiding the IV source. The best approach is to recollect from a clean venipuncture site or a different arm after removing the IV, if allowed by policy. IV lines can introduce fluids, medications, or additives into the blood sample, which can alter analyte concentrations and lead to inaccurate results. Drawing from the IV line would carry that contamination, so it’s not appropriate. Simply adjusting the sample won’t remove the contamination, and skipping collection isn’t appropriate when a test is needed. If removing the IV isn’t allowed, follow the facility’s protocol, but recollection from a clean site after IV removal is the recommended approach.