American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Technologist in Cytogenetics certification (ASCP CG) Practice Test

What is the first action to take if an amniotic fluid culture turns cloudy and appears contaminated?

1. Dispose of the culture

2. Harvest the culture as soon as possible

3. Dilute the culture with fresh media

4. Incubate the culture longer

The correct answer is: Harvest the culture as soon as possible

When an amniotic fluid culture becomes cloudy and shows signs of contamination, the most appropriate first action is to harvest the culture as soon as possible. This step is crucial because it allows for the collection of any viable cells that are still present in the culture. Cloudiness indicates the potential growth of unwanted microorganisms, which can increasingly compromise the integrity of the sample and any subsequent analyses or results. Prompt harvesting minimizes the risk of further contamination that could obscure diagnostic results or hinder the assessment of fetal abnormalities. It is also important to note that once contamination is suspected, delaying intervention by incubating for a longer period or ordering other procedures may lead to further degradation of the sample quality. This approach effectively allows for the preservation of the sample's useful components while also acknowledging potential contamination, gearing the laboratory team towards addressing contamination concerns while still extracting valuable data from the initial culture.