CPT (Certified Phlebotomy Technician) Practice Exam

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What does sodium citrate help to prevent?

Bacterial growth
Clot formation
Platelet aggregation
Virus transmission

The correct answer is: Clot formation

Sodium citrate acts as an anticoagulant, which means its primary function is to prevent clot formation. It achieves this by chelating calcium ions in the blood. Calcium is essential for the clotting cascade, and by binding to these ions, sodium citrate effectively interrupts the process that leads to the formation of clots. This property makes it particularly valuable in laboratory settings where maintaining the fluidity of blood samples is essential for accurate testing and analysis. While sodium citrate does not directly impact bacterial growth, platelet aggregation, or virus transmission, its role in preventing clotting is crucial for ensuring reliable results in various laboratory tests.