Which type of testing requires serum to be collected?

The correct answer is that chemistry testing requires serum to be collected. Serum is the liquid portion of blood that remains after coagulation has occurred. It contains various substances such as electrolytes, hormones, and enzymes, which are essential for conducting chemistry tests that analyze these components to assess the body’s metabolic state, organ function, and other physiological processes.

In contrast, microbiology testing typically involves the collection of whole blood, plasma, or swabs to identify pathogens, rather than serum. Hematology testing focuses on components of the blood, such as red and white blood cells and platelets, and is usually done on whole blood that has been treated to prevent clotting. Immunology testing can sometimes utilize serum, but it may also require other types of samples such as whole blood or plasma, depending on the specific tests being performed. Thus, while some other testing types might use serum under certain conditions, chemistry testing is primarily associated with serum collection for accurate analysis.