Glucose:
- Blood should not be collected from the same arm where an IV line exists.
- RBS (random blood glucose): Specific instructions are not required.
- FBS (fasting blood glucose): The patient must be on at least 8–12 hours fasting since last meal.
- PPBS (postprandial blood glucose): 2 hours after a moderate breakfast or meal.
Lipid profile:
Patient must be on at least 10–12 hours (overnight) fast.
Uric acid:
Patients should avoid eating meat.
Calcium:
The tourniquet time for sample collection should not exceed one minute.
Ammonia:
Samples must be sent to the laboratory immediately after collection, using ice / frozen gel packs at 2–8 °C.