In your clinical chemistry laboratory,you use an immunoassay to detect blood levels of NT-proBNP.You receive a filled green-top anticoagulant-containing plastic blood collection tube with a request for NT-proBNP.What is your next step?

Question

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A green-top tube containing heparin is an acceptable specimen for the NT-proBNP assay because it provides plasma after centrifugation. Heparin is an anticoagulant that inhibits the clotting cascade by binding to and activating antithrombin III, thereby preventing the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin. The use of an incorrect specimen type (e.g., serum instead of plasma) or anticoagulant can affect the accuracy and precision of the assay results. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the appropriate specimen collection and handling procedures are followed to minimize preanalytical errors.

In Your Clinical Chemistry Laboratory,you Use an Immunoassay to Detect