American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Histotechnician Certification Practice Exam

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When blood cultures are collected from a patient receiving antibiotics, what additional component is usually included?

ARD/resin
EDTA
Heparin
Boric acid

The correct answer is: ARD/resin

When blood cultures are collected from a patient who is currently receiving antibiotics, the addition of ARD (Antibiotic Removal Device) or resin plays a crucial role. This component is designed to neutralize or bind to antibiotics present in the bloodstream. Antibiotics can inhibit the growth of bacteria, which may lead to false-negative results in blood cultures. By incorporating ARD or resin, the culture medium can more effectively support the growth of the organisms present in the blood, thus enhancing the chances of accurately detecting infections. In contrast, the other components listed do not serve this specific purpose. EDTA is primarily used as an anticoagulant but does not negate the effects of antibiotics on bacterial growth. Heparin, also an anticoagulant, does not interact with antibiotics in a way that would mitigate their effects on cultured organisms. Boric acid is used mainly as a preservative for urine specimens and is not relevant in the context of blood culture collection.