How does contamination of specimens affect test results?

Contamination of specimens directly affects the integrity and reliability of test results, making the chosen answer correct. When a specimen is contaminated, external substances such as microorganisms, chemicals, or foreign materials can alter the characteristics of the sample. This can lead to inaccurate test results, which can misguide clinical decisions and patient management.

For example, if blood is contaminated with bacteria, it may result in an incorrect diagnosis of infection or affect the levels of certain analytes, leading to misleading results. This underscores the importance of proper collection techniques and the maintenance of specimen integrity to ensure accurate lab outcomes. Contamination can introduce variables that were not present in the original specimen, thereby compromising the validity of the tests conducted.