American Medical Technologist (AMT) Practice Exam 2026 – All-in-One Resource to Guarantee Exam Success!

Heparinized plasma is obtained by adding heparin, an anticoagulant, to blood samples to prevent clotting. This type of plasma is primarily used for coagulation testing, as it allows for the evaluation of clotting factors without the interference of clot formation. In coagulation tests, it's pivotal to analyze the blood's ability to form clots under specific conditions, making heparinized plasma an essential sample type for such assessments.

In contrast, samples for blood typing typically require serum or EDTA (another type of anticoagulant), as the presence of heparin can interfere with certain types of serological reactions required for typing. Similarly, metabolic panels assess various chemical substances in the blood and usually utilize serum rather than heparinized plasma, as the biochemical properties can be altered by the presence of heparin. Microbiological analysis generally involves the use of whole blood or specific culture media rather than plasma, since the presence of anticoagulants is not beneficial and can affect the growth of microorganisms.

The usage of heparinized plasma in coagulation tests is key for accurate diagnostics in clinical settings, highlighting its importance in evaluating hemostatic function.