Why is it important to standardize the results of a prothrombin time (PT)test?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Standardization of the results of a prothrombin time test is important to account for the wide variation in commercial preparations of thromboplastin and the differences in instrumentation. Standardization helps to ensure that results from different labs and different instruments are comparable, and that results can be interpreted consistently. Inaccurate results can lead to incorrect diagnosis and treatment decisions, making standardization essential for patient care. Choice B is incorrect because a proportionality constant is not typically used to standardize PT results. Choice C is incorrect because interference by anticoagulant drugs is typically accounted for by using the international normalized ratio (INR) system, which is a standardized method of expressing PT results. Choice D is incorrect because standardization is an important consideration in PT testing.

Why Is It Important to Standardize the Results of a Prothrombin