Which factor can contribute to a false haemoglobin reading?

The factor that can contribute to a false haemoglobin reading is when the specimen is taken from an intravenous line. This scenario can introduce various components from the intravenous fluids, such as saline or dextrose, into the blood sample, which can dilute the sample or interfere with the hemoglobin measurement.

When blood is drawn from an intravenous line, it's possible for the blood sample to reflect not only the patient's blood but also the additives or medications in the IV fluid. This contamination can lead to inaccurate readings, potentially showing lower or higher hemoglobin levels than what is actually present in the bloodstream.

In contrast, appropriate procedures such as taking blood samples from a peripheral site or ensuring adequate blood collection methods can help ensure the accuracy of hemoglobin measurements.