How can contamination affect test results?

Contamination can significantly compromise the integrity of a sample, leading to inaccurate data. This occurs when foreign substances, such as bacteria, chemicals, or incorrect additives, introduce variables that were not originally present in the sample. For example, if a blood sample is contaminated with glucose from a skin puncture, it could falsely elevate glucose readings, thus misguiding diagnosis or treatment decisions. The presence of contaminants may also interfere with the biochemical processes that assays rely on, resulting in erroneous laboratory outcomes. Therefore, maintaining a clean and sterile environment during collection is critical to ensure that test results reflect the true biological state of the patient.