After staining a silica gel plate, if lipid standards migrated 1 cm faster than usual, what should the technologist do?

The correct course of action is to prepare fresh developing solvent and repeat the assay. If lipid standards have migrated faster than expected, it suggests that there may have been a change in the properties of the developing solvent, which can significantly affect the results of the assay. Fresh solvent ensures consistency and reliability in the separation process, allowing for an accurate comparison of lipid migration.

Using old or improperly prepared solvent might lead to varied results between runs, which is especially critical in clinical chemistry where precision is paramount. By preparing a fresh solvent, the technologist is addressing any potential issues that could be causing the unexpected migration of the lipid standards, thus improving the validity of future tests.

While repeating the separation on a new silica gel plate might seem like a viable approach, it does not address the fundamental issue of solvent effectiveness. Checking the pH of the developing solvent is also important but would not have a direct immediate impact if the solvent composition itself is compromised. Reducing solvent migration time without understanding the underlying issue could lead to further inconsistencies in results. Therefore, preparing fresh developing solvent provides a more systematic resolution to ensure accurate and reliable test outcomes.