- QNS
QNS is a clinical laboratory abbreviation for "Quantity Not Sufficient". This indicates that either 1.) There is not enough specimen for the lab tests ordered to be performed.2.) In the case of
Vacutainer s or other tubes with pre-added anticoagulant, the amount of blood evacuated into the tube at the time ofPhlebotomy was insufficient to attain the correct blood:anticoagulant ratio. This can cause false results in assays such ascoagulation assays (Causing falsely increased clotting times) or Blood Cell Differentials (Causing a false increase in poikilocytes, particularly burr cells.)In either case, the most common and feasible way to correct the problem is to simply recollect the specimen.
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