Certified Hemodialysis Technician Practice Exam 2026 – All-in-One Guide to Exam Success

Refrigerating bacterial samples after collection is the appropriate action when these samples cannot be processed immediately. This practice is essential because refrigeration slows down the growth and metabolic activity of the bacteria, helping to preserve the integrity of the sample for accurate testing. It allows for a delay in processing while minimizing potential changes to the microbial population that could lead to misleading results.

In contrast, inoculating the samples into a culture medium would typically be done when the intention is to grow the bacteria for analysis, rather than storing them for later processing. Allowing samples to air dry is detrimental as it can lead to the death of bacteria and loss of viability, compromising the results of any future tests. Freezing samples may not be suitable for all types of bacteria, as some may be damaged by the freezing process, which can also affect the accuracy of any subsequent analysis. Overall, refrigeration is the most effective method for preserving bacterial samples before they can be processed properly.