What typically follows the collection of a specimen in pathology services?

The correct answer regarding what typically follows the collection of a specimen in pathology services is sending the specimen to an outside lab. In many healthcare settings, after a specimen—such as a biopsy or blood sample—is collected, it is sent to a laboratory specialized in analyzing such materials. These laboratories have the necessary equipment and expertise to perform specific tests that are often not available in the office due to the complexity of the testing procedures, the need for sterile environments, or the requirement of specialized personnel.

This process allows for accurate diagnosis and informs further medical decision-making. It is standard practice to ensure that specimens are processed correctly to obtain reliable results. While some facilities may conduct certain tests on-site, particularly in primary care or urgent care settings, more complex analyses are generally referred to external labs to optimize the quality of care and patient outcomes.

Immediate treatment of the patient typically occurs prior to specimen collection or as a separate step after the laboratory results are returned. Disposing of the specimen if unnecessary is not a standard step, as the goal is to analyze all collected specimens unless clinically indicated. Lastly, while performing tests in the office is possible for some types of tests, it does not universally follow specimen collection in pathology, where outsourcing to a lab is the common procedure.