What is the appropriate anticoagulant for collecting arterial blood gas (ABG) specimens?

The appropriate anticoagulant for collecting arterial blood gas (ABG) specimens is heparin. Heparin works effectively by preventing blood from clotting during the collection process and is particularly suitable for maintaining the integrity of the gas levels in the sample, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide.

When arterial blood gases are collected, it is crucial to minimize any metabolic changes in the sample before analysis. Heparin does not interfere with the analysis of gases and maintains the chemical properties of the blood, making it the preferred choice in this context. The other anticoagulants listed, such as sodium citrate, EDTA, and potassium oxalate, are used for different types of testing and can alter the results of gas measurements, making them inappropriate for ABG specimen collection.