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A blood sampling tube which contains heparin as the anticoagulant is colored

a. red.
b. purple.
c. green.
d. lavender.

User Grucha
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The color of the blood sampling tube containing heparin as the anticoagulant is green. This color coding is standard in medical labs for easy identification and to ensure proper handling and processing of blood samples.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct option : c

The use of heparin as an anticoagulant in blood sampling tubes is crucial for preventing clotting and ensuring that the blood sample can be tested properly. Heparin prevents blood from clotting by inhibiting thrombin, which in turn prevents the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin, an essential step in the clotting cascade. This is why blood samples that are intended for certain types of tests, where plasma is needed, are collected in tubes containing lithium heparin and subsequently centrifuged.

\The process allows for the separation of blood cells from plasma without the risk of clot formation. It is necessary for tubes to have standardized color-coding to prevent mix-ups during collection and processing. The color codes of these tubes are universally recognized in medical laboratories to denote the type of anticoagulant or preservative they contain.

User Henry Collingridge
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