Which test is commonly measured using EDTA blood?

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Multiple Choice

Which test is commonly measured using EDTA blood?

Explanation:
EDTA preserves white blood cells in whole blood and prevents clotting, which is essential for accurate counting. Because EDTA chelates calcium, it stops the blood from clotting and keeps cells intact, allowing automated analyzers or manual counts to reliably enumerate white blood cells. Tests like prothrombin time and fibrinogen rely on plasma obtained from citrate anticoagulated blood, not whole blood, so they are not typically measured from EDTA-preserved samples. Hematocrit can be part of a CBC done on EDTA blood as well, but the measurement most directly associated with EDTA-preserved whole blood is the white blood cell count.

EDTA preserves white blood cells in whole blood and prevents clotting, which is essential for accurate counting. Because EDTA chelates calcium, it stops the blood from clotting and keeps cells intact, allowing automated analyzers or manual counts to reliably enumerate white blood cells. Tests like prothrombin time and fibrinogen rely on plasma obtained from citrate anticoagulated blood, not whole blood, so they are not typically measured from EDTA-preserved samples. Hematocrit can be part of a CBC done on EDTA blood as well, but the measurement most directly associated with EDTA-preserved whole blood is the white blood cell count.

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