Why is it important to place two tubes opposite each other in the centrifuge during a microhematocrit procedure?

• A. To balance the centrifuge and prevent damage or inaccurate results
• B. To increase the speed of centrifugation
• C. To prevent contamination between samples
• D. To ensure both tubes contain equal amounts of blood

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the principle of centrifugation: a centrifuge spins samples at high speeds to separate components based on density, creating a strong centrifugal force.
2. Recognize that an unbalanced load in the centrifuge (i.e., tubes placed unevenly) can cause vibrations or mechanical stress, potentially damaging the equipment or affecting the separation process.
3. Placing two tubes opposite each other balances the rotor, distributing the weight evenly and ensuring smooth, stable spinning.
4. This balance prevents damage to the centrifuge and ensures accurate separation of blood components, which is critical for reliable microhematocrit results.
5. Note that the other options (increasing speed, preventing contamination, ensuring equal blood volume) are not the primary reasons for placing tubes opposite each other during centrifugation.