Which of the following is not a common rejection criterion for phlebotomy specimens?

• A. Hemolysis
• B. Mislabeling
• C. Clotting in anticoagulated tubes
• D. Proper labeling

Answer: (D)

Understanding specimen rejection criteria in phlebotomy labs hinges on knowing which issues prevent a sample from yielding reliable results. Hemolysis distorts many tests by releasing intracellular contents and altering measurements, so a hemolyzed sample is typically rejected. Mislabeling creates a risk of patient mix-ups and incorrect results, which is another common reason to reject. Clotting in tubes that contain anticoagulant defeats the purpose of the tube and can ruin tests that require plasma, leading to rejection of the specimen. Proper labeling, on the other hand, is the desired state—when labeling is correct, the sample is acceptable (assuming other criteria are met).