Final answer:
Heparin is the anticoagulant commonly used in blood specimens for complete blood count tests. It works by inhibiting clotting factors, preventing the formation of fibrin clots.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct option : b
The anticoagulant used in a blood specimen collected to determine a complete blood count is heparin. This additive prevents coagulation by inhibiting the formation of fibrin clots, making it essential for accurate laboratory testing of blood components.mWhen blood is drawn for testing such as a complete blood count, anticoagulants are added to the collection tubes to prevent clotting. Different anticoagulants work by binding calcium ions or inhibiting clotting factors.
In practical settings, potassium oxalate or K2EDTA (ethylendiaminetetraacetic acid) are commonly used as they bind calcium ions effectively. Heparin acts by potentiating the effect of antithrombin III, which inhibits clotting factors. Although ethanol, sodium chloride, and potassium hydroxide have various functions in biological and chemical processes, they are not suitable anticoagulants for a complete blood count test.