A specimen processor receives a STAT chemistry specimen on a patient in the emergency department at 9:00 hours. The specimen was collected at 8:55 hours. She immediately spins it in the centrifuge, causing the cells to go to the bottom of the tube and leaving clear liquid at the top. She then transfers the clear liquid to another tube that is labeled with the patient's information before delivering the tube to a technician in the chemistry department. 1. Was the specimen whole blood or clotted blood before it was centrifuged? 2. What is the term for the part of the specimen that will be used for testing? 3. What clues tell you which type of specimen this one is?
