What is a common effect of prolonged delays in laboratory sample processing?

Prolonged delays in laboratory sample processing are known to negatively impact the stability of labile analytes. Labile analytes refer to substances in a sample that are sensitive to changes in environmental conditions such as time, temperature, and light. Over time, these analytes can degrade or undergo chemical changes, leading to inaccurate results.

For example, substances like glucose can be utilized by cells in the sample, while hormones and other metabolites may break down when exposed to certain conditions for extended periods. This degradation can lead to lower concentrations detected in testing, which may mislead diagnosis and treatment decisions.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the consequences of delay. Increased sample volume does not typically occur due to delays; rather, changes in sample concentration might happen instead. Improved analytical accuracy is contradictory, as degradation typically leads to less accurate results. Increased sample viscosity can occur due to other factors like the concentration of proteins but is not a widely recognized effect of delayed processing.