What is a common impact of hemolysis on blood samples?

Hemolysis refers to the breakdown of red blood cells, which can significantly affect the composition of blood samples. One common impact of hemolysis is the alteration of the electrolyte content in the sample. When red blood cells lyse, potassium and other intracellular electrolytes are released into the plasma. This can result in falsely elevated levels of potassium, magnesium, and phosphate in the serum or plasma, leading to incorrect interpretations and clinical decisions if the sample is not handled properly.

While glucose levels can also be affected when testing certain parameters under hemolytic conditions, the primary and most significant concern is the redistribution of electrolytes, which is a direct consequence of the release of these substances from lysed cells. Furthermore, hemolysis does not relate to contamination or disrupt blood cell morphology in a way that is relevant to this question, which allows for a more focused understanding of the direct biochemical changes occurring in hemolysis.