How can the correct platelet count on a patient be determined when his or her platelets repeatedly clump in an EDTA specimen?

a. Re-collect in sodium citrate tube (blue top) and multiply by 0.5.
b. Re-collect in sodium citrate tube (blue top) and multiply count by 1.1.
c. Report the estimated number from the blood film.
d. Re-collect in an EDTA tube.


ANS: B
When platelet clumping repeatedly occurs in an EDTA blood, the blood should be drawn in a sodium citrate tube. The dilution of blood by the anticoagulant is 9:10 (9 parts blood to 1 part anticoagulant). The platelet count obtained on this tube must therefore be multiplied by the reciprocal of the dilution (10/9) = 1.1.

Health Professions

You might also like to view...

An emesis basin is a ________-shaped receptacle for body drainage, such as sputum, and for used instruments

a. brain b. kidney c. liver d. stomach

Health Professions

Particulate matter injected into the vein can cause inflammation and possible infection

Indicate whether the statement is true or false

Health Professions

When using an intensity of 2 milliamps, the cathode should be at least ________ cm2

A) 1 B) 2 C) 3 D) 4

Health Professions

During normal fetal development, the sex of the infant can usually be determined by ________ weeks' gestation

A) 32 B) 16 C) 24 D) 12

Health Professions