What happens to PT results if a tube with insufficient blood volume is submitted?

When a tube with insufficient blood volume is used for coagulation testing, specifically prothrombin time (PT), the results may be falsely prolonged. This occurs because the proper ratio of blood to anticoagulant in the test tube is critical for obtaining accurate results. Insufficient blood volume can lead to an over-concentration of the anticoagulant, which alters the coagulation pathway and potentially leads to a longer PT result. Accurate PT results depend on having the right amount of blood in relation to the anticoagulant, and a deviation from this balance can skew the results, resulting in a misleadingly prolonged PT. Hence, when faced with a test tube that does not contain the required volume of blood, the integrity of the coagulation measurement is compromised, and prolonged results may be observed.