What is the correct consequence of overfilling a citrate tube?

What is the correct consequence of overfilling a citrate tube?

• A. It has no impact on results
• B. It improves accuracy
• C. It leads to hemolyzed sample
• D. It can alter coagulation results due to insufficient anticoagulant

Answer: (D)

Overfilling a citrate tube changes the blood-to-anticoagulant ratio. Citrate anticoagulant works by binding calcium to prevent clotting, and the tube is designed for a fixed amount of anticoagulant relative to a set volume of blood. When more blood than specified is collected, there isn’t enough citrate to adequately chelate the calcium in that larger sample. The result is insufficient anticoagulation, which can allow clotting to occur or alter the way coagulation tests read out, making results unreliable. Hemolysis isn’t a direct consequence of overfilling; that typically comes from handling issues. The core idea is that maintaining the correct fill ensures the anticoagulant effect is consistent and the coagulation measurements are accurate.

Overfilling a citrate tube changes the blood-to-anticoagulant ratio. Citrate anticoagulant works by binding calcium to prevent clotting, and the tube is designed for a fixed amount of anticoagulant relative to a set volume of blood. When more blood than specified is collected, there isn’t enough citrate to adequately chelate the calcium in that larger sample. The result is insufficient anticoagulation, which can allow clotting to occur or alter the way coagulation tests read out, making results unreliable. Hemolysis isn’t a direct consequence of overfilling; that typically comes from handling issues. The core idea is that maintaining the correct fill ensures the anticoagulant effect is consistent and the coagulation measurements are accurate.