Patient Care Technician Certification (PCTC) AMCA Practice Exam

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The lab abbreviation for prothrombin time is what?

  1. PT

  2. PTT

  3. PTI

  4. PTE

The correct answer is: PT

The lab abbreviation for prothrombin time is indeed PT. This abbreviation is widely used in medical settings and represents a blood test that measures how long it takes for blood to clot. Prothrombin time is an important diagnostic tool for assessing the coagulation system, particularly in patients who are on anticoagulant therapy, those with liver diseases, or in cases of unexplained bleeding or bruising. PT specifically refers to the test that evaluates the extrinsic pathway of coagulation, which involves various clotting factors including prothrombin, factor VII, and factor X. The results of the PT test can help healthcare providers determine the effectiveness of anticoagulant medications or identify potential bleeding disorders. The other terms listed represent different tests or components of coagulation analysis. PTT stands for partial thromboplastin time, which measures the intrinsic pathway and is often used alongside PT to provide a comprehensive view of the clotting ability of the blood. PTI and PTE are not standard abbreviations used in coagulation studies, making PT the correct and recognized choice for prothrombin time.