To protect light-sensitive blood constituents, what action should a phlebotomist take after collecting the sample?

When handling light-sensitive blood constituents, it's crucial to minimize their exposure to light to preserve their integrity and avoid degradation. Wrapping the collection tube in aluminum foil effectively shields the sample from light, thereby maintaining the stability of the light-sensitive components. This approach is a standard protocol in phlebotomy and laboratory practices for ensuring that specimens, such as bilirubin or certain vitamins, don’t undergo photodegradation, which can lead to inaccurate test results.

Storing the sample at room temperature or freezing it might not provide adequate protection against light exposure. Additionally, exposing the sample to fluorescent light would be counterproductive, as it would worsen the degradation of sensitive constituents, leading to compromised test results. Hence, wrapping the tube in aluminum foil is the most appropriate action to ensure the reliability of the sample.