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Lactate rises with tissue hypoxia and muscular activity; preanalytical errors can mimic pathology. Best practice is minimal stasis (tourniquet <1 minute), no fist pumping, and rapid chilling to slow glycolysis. Collect into an appropriate tube (lithium heparin plasma is common; many labs also accept gray-top fluoride/oxalate), transport on ice, and separate plasma as soon as possible. Option B captures these principles. Prolonged tourniquet time and fist pumping (Option A) raise lactate via local anaerobic metabolism. Delayed separation (Option C) allows ongoing cellular glycolysis, increasing lactate. Drawing from an IV line (Option D) risks contamination with infusates unless a line-draw protocol is strictly followed; venipuncture is typically preferred. Accurate lactate handling supports sepsis evaluation and perfusion monitoring; exams test these steps because they directly influence critical care decisions.