What is the ideal anticoagulant to use when obtaining serum samples?
A)Heparin, used at a rate of 20 units/ml of blood
B)EDTA, used at a rate of 1-2 mg / ml of blood
C)Sodium Fluoride, used at a rate of 6 mg / ml of blood
D)None

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When obtaining serum samples, no anticoagulant is used. Serum is plasma, which has had the fibrinogen removed. During the clotting process, the soluble fibrinogen in plasma is converted to an insoluble fibrin clot matrix. The resulting fluid, which is squeezed out around the clot, is serum.

What Is the Ideal Anticoagulant to Use When Obtaining Serum