If MCHC is very high on CBC results, what is the appropriate next step?

If MCHC is very high on CBC results, what is the appropriate next step?

• A. Prewarm sample
• B. Examine plasma appearance
• C. Report automated results
• D. Repeat the CBC

Answer: (B)

When MCHC is unexpectedly high, it’s usually due to a specimen or testing interference rather than a true physiological change. The quickest way to pinpoint the issue is to examine the plasma appearance. Lipemia (milky plasma), icterus (yellow plasma), or hemolysis (pink/red plasma) can all distort the measurements used to calculate MCHC, making it appear falsely elevated. Detecting such interference guides the next step—recollecting a fresh sample or addressing the interference—before deciding whether to report results or re-run the test. If the plasma looks normal, you would then proceed with verification or repetition as per lab protocol.

When MCHC is unexpectedly high, it’s usually due to a specimen or testing interference rather than a true physiological change. The quickest way to pinpoint the issue is to examine the plasma appearance. Lipemia (milky plasma), icterus (yellow plasma), or hemolysis (pink/red plasma) can all distort the measurements used to calculate MCHC, making it appear falsely elevated. Detecting such interference guides the next step—recollecting a fresh sample or addressing the interference—before deciding whether to report results or re-run the test. If the plasma looks normal, you would then proceed with verification or repetition as per lab protocol.