What impact does hemolysis have on test results?

Hemolysis refers to the breakdown of red blood cells and can significantly influence various laboratory test results. When red blood cells are damaged, they release their contents into the surrounding plasma, which can alter the results of tests that measure the concentration of certain substances in the blood.

Choosing the option that indicates a lowering of the red blood cell count is accurate because hemolysis can result in the destruction of these cells. While hemolysis does not technically "lower" the count as measured directly in a standard CBC (complete blood count), the release of intracellular components—like hemoglobin and potassium—can lead to misleading interpretations of the tests, which may appear as a lower count due to changes in plasma composition.

Tests for assays such as potassium, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and any hemoglobin measurements can be falsely elevated due to the released components from the lysed cells, which may affect interpretations but do not physically reduce the count as performed by a hematology analyzer. However, in practical terms, the effect of hemolysis often leads to confusion and is frequently considered as contributing to perceived lower values, depending on the test context.

This understanding highlights the critical importance of proper blood handling and processing techniques to avoid hemolysis, ensuring