Most anticoagulants in blood collection tubes prevent clotting by:

Question

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Anticoagulants in blood collection tubes prevent clotting by binding calcium, which is necessary for the coagulation cascade to occur. Examples of calcium-binding anticoagulants used in blood collection tubes include EDTA, citrate, and oxalate.

Answer: B
 Some anticoagulants in blood collection tubes act as antithrombin agents, which prevent the activity of thrombin and other clotting factors. This mechanism of action is seen in heparin, which is sometimes used in blood collection tubes for certain tests.

Answer: C
 Anticoagulants that bind fibrinogen are not commonly used in blood collection tubes. Fibrinogen is a clotting factor that helps to form the fibrin meshwork in a clot. If an anticoagulant were to bind fibrinogen, it would interfere with the coagulation cascade and prevent clot formation.

Answer: D
 Heparin can be used as an anticoagulant in blood collection tubes and works by releasing its anticoagulant properties into the sample. However, not all blood collection tubes contain heparin and not all anticoagulants work in the same way.

Most Anticoagulants in Blood Collection Tubes Prevent Clotting By