Anesthesia Technologist Practice Exam

What volume of whole blood is required for a typical ACT sample?

1. 1 cc

2. 2 cc's

3. 3 cc's

4. 5 cc's

The correct answer is: 2 cc's

The typical volume of whole blood required for an activated clotting time (ACT) sample is 2 cc's. This volume is generally sufficient to perform the ACT test, which is used to monitor anticoagulant therapy, particularly during surgical procedures involving heparin. The 2 cc sample allows for proper mixing with the necessary reagents and ensures that accurate readings can be obtained from the activated clotting time testing. Using a larger volume, such as 3 or 5 cc's, is often unnecessary for this specific test and may lead to waste of blood or additional handling and processing time, while a smaller volume like 1 cc may not provide enough sample for consistent and reliable results. The 2 cc requirement strikes a balance between adequate sample size for testing and minimizing blood wastage, making it the standard practice in clinical settings.