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Which anticoagulant doesn't interfere with laboratory tests, except for lithium heparin plasma?

a) EDTA
b) Citrate
c) Heparin
d) Oxalate

1 Answer

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Final answer:

EDTA is the anticoagulant that does not interfere with laboratory tests, as it binds tightly to metal ions without affecting the measurements of most blood components, making it suitable for various lab assays.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the anticoagulants listed, EDTA is the one that does not interfere with laboratory tests, except for lithium heparin plasma. Heparin can interfere with a variety of assays by preventing clotting, and citrate binds to calcium, which can also interfere with certain tests. Oxalate works by precipitating calcium ions, preventing coagulation, but can also interfere with calcium-dependent assays.

The ligand EDTA binds tightly to a variety of metal ions by forming hexadentate complexes, and it is often used to remove calcium from blood to prevent clotting without interfering with lab tests. This makes EDTA well suited for use in laboratory settings where accurate measurements of various blood components are necessary, as it doesn't interfere with most tests except for the ones affected by lithium heparin plasma.

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