Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

Which technique is commonly used in labs for measuring fluid blood samples?

1. Separating

2. Aliquoting

3. Calibrating

4. Quantifying

The correct answer is: Aliquoting

The technique of aliquoting is commonly used in laboratories for measuring fluid blood samples because it involves the precise division of a larger sample into smaller, measured portions. This process allows for accurate and consistent analysis and testing, ensuring that the results obtained from each aliquot can be trusted to reflect the characteristics of the original sample. Through aliquoting, technicians can also minimize waste, keep samples preserved for longer periods, and ensure that multiple tests can be conducted from a single blood draw. While separating is a process that could refer to various techniques to divide components of blood (like plasma from serum), it doesn't specifically address the uniform measurement integral to the context of the question. Calibrating involves adjusting or tuning instruments to ensure accurate measurements but does not involve handling blood samples directly. Quantifying refers to the determination of the amount or concentration of a substance, but again, it is broader and does not specifically indicate the method used for measuring fluid samples. Therefore, aliquoting is the most precise and applicable technique for the task at hand.