Difficulty: Medium

Average Score: 50%

Which of the following is the correct order of collection?

Rationale

Citrate, heparin, EDTA, fluoride is the correct order of collection.

The order of collection is crucial in laboratory settings to prevent cross-contamination and ensure accurate test results. Citrate is collected first to avoid interference with coagulation tests, followed by heparin, EDTA, and fluoride.

A (Citrate, heparin, EDTA, fluoride) CORRECT

This choice accurately reflects the recommended order of collection for blood samples. Citrate is used first to prevent clotting, followed by heparin, which is an anticoagulant used for plasma samples, then EDTA, which also prevents clotting, and finally fluoride, which is used for glucose preservation.

B (Citrate, EDTA, heparin, fluoride) YOUR ANSWER

While citrate is correctly placed first, EDTA should not precede heparin in the order of collection. Heparin is more effective for plasma samples and should be collected before EDTA to avoid potential interference in tests that require plasma.

C (Fluoride, EDTA, heparin, citrate) YOUR ANSWER

This option incorrectly places fluoride first, which can compromise the integrity of coagulation tests. Citrate should always be collected first to avoid any interference with the coagulation factors present in the sample.

D (Fluoride, heparin, EDTA, citrate) YOUR ANSWER

Similar to option C, this order begins with fluoride, which is inappropriate for standard collection protocols. Citrate must be collected first to ensure accurate coagulation test results, and placing fluoride at the beginning could lead to erroneous results.

Conclusion

The order of blood collection is essential for maintaining the integrity of the samples and the accuracy of laboratory results. The correct sequence—citrate, heparin, EDTA, and fluoride—ensures that anticoagulants and preservatives do not interfere with one another, leading to reliable test outcomes. Understanding and adhering to this order is critical for laboratory professionals to obtain valid and actionable data.

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