An automated platelet count is 40,000 per microliter, but the patient has no bleeding and the smear shows large platelet clumps. What is the most appropriate action?
1Report the result as obtained without further comment
2Perform a bleeding time to assess platelet function
3Report the result immediately as a critical value to the ordering provider
4Recollect the specimen in sodium citrate and correct for dilution✓ 정답
해설
A platelet count of 40,000 without bleeding, together with large platelet clumps on the smear, indicates EDTA-dependent platelet clumping causing pseudothrombocytopenia. The result is not a true value, so it must not be reported or called as a critical value. Recollect in citrate and correct for the dilution.