QNS (original) (raw)

QNS is a clinical laboratory abbreviation for quantity not sufficient. This indicates that either: 1. * There is not enough specimen for the lab tests ordered to be performed. 2. * In the case of Vacutainers or other tubes with pre-added anticoagulant, the amount of blood invacuated into the tube at the time of phlebotomy was insufficient to attain the correct blood:anticoagulant ratio. This can cause false results in assays such as coagulation assays (causing falsely increased clotting times) or blood cell differentials (causing a false increase in poikilocytes, particularly burr cells.)