Overview
Specimen anticoagulant and handling requirements for reliable platelet enumeration and selected function assays.
Classification
| Test context | Tube / anticoagulant | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Automated CBC platelet count | EDTA whole blood | Gentle mixing; analyze within stability window per manufacturer |
| Pseudothrombocytopenia verification | Sodium citrate | Platelet clumping absent on smear, correct for citrate dilution on applicable analyzers |
| Platelet function / aggregometry | Citrate (often 3.2% or 3.8%) | Timing and processing per CLSI H21-aligned local SOP |
| Coagulation with PLT context | Citrate | Separate citrate tube, not interchangeable with EDTA CBC tube |
Morphologic Features
Smear from EDTA for morphology; correlate with same specimen when possible.
Laboratory Characteristics
- Reject clotted, hemolyzed, or underfilled EDTA specimens for PLT
- Document tube type on verification repeats
Reference Intervals
Reference intervals apply to EDTA CBC unless protocol specifies citrate-corrected values.
Clinical and Laboratory Significance
Wrong tube or handling causes false thrombocytopenia or thrombocytosis patterns.
Differential Considerations
Comparison Tables
Classification Frameworks
Laboratory Notes
- Cross-link Module 3: EDTA-anticoagulated blood and preanalytical variables.
- Confirm unexpected thrombocytopenia on smear review before reporting a critical low count.
References
Authoritative textbooks, guidelines, and reviews supporting this reference entry. Verify reference intervals, critical limits, and reflex criteria against institutional protocols and current guideline editions.
Textbooks
- McPherson RA, Pincus MR. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Elsevier; 2021.
- Rodak BF, Carr JH. Rodak's Hematology: Clinical Principles and Applications. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2020.
- McKenzie SB, Williams JL. Clinical Laboratory Hematology. 4th ed. Pearson; 2022.
- Bain BJ. Blood Cells: A Practical Guide. 5th ed. Wiley-Blackwell; 2015.
CLSI and Professional Guidelines
- Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Reference and Selected Performance Standards for the Automated Complete Blood Cell Count (CBC). CLSI document H26-A2. CLSI; 2010.
- Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Defining, Establishing, and Verifying Reference Intervals in the Clinical Laboratory; Approved Standard. CLSI document EP28-A3c. CLSI; 2010.
- Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Management of Critical- and Significant-Risk Results. CLSI guideline GP47-Ed1. CLSI; 2015.
- Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Collection, Transport, and Processing of Blood Specimens for Testing Plasma-Based Coagulation Assays and Molecular Hemostasis Assays; Approved Guideline. CLSI document H21-A5. CLSI; 2017.
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