Which analytes are falsely elevated in ECO anticoagulants?

• A. Na and K
• B. Ca and Mg
• C. Phosphate and CK
• D. Iron and AMS

Answer: (A)

In ECO anticoagulants, the tube’s additive itself contributes ions that can raise the measured electrolyte levels. Because these tubes are designed to conserve electrolytes, the Na and K present in the additive can appear in the plasma as if the patient’s levels were higher than they truly are. That’s why sodium and potassium show up as falsely elevated with ECO anticoagulants.

Calcium and magnesium tend to be affected differently by other anticoagulants that chelate them, so they aren’t the ones falsely elevated here. Phosphate and CK aren’t specifically driven higher by the ECO additive, and iron or AMS aren’t the typical analytes misrepresented by these tubes.