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The anticoagulant found in a light blue stoppered tube is sodium citrate. This specific anticoagulant is widely used in laboratories for coagulation testing, such as prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Sodium citrate functions by binding calcium ions in the blood, which are essential for the coagulation cascade. By chelating calcium, it effectively prevents clotting from occurring in the sample, allowing for accurate assessment of coagulation status.

Understanding the role of sodium citrate is crucial for healthcare professionals working in laboratory settings, especially in procedures involving blood coagulation. Other anticoagulants, like EDTA and heparin, are used in different types of tubes with specific applications, such as hematological tests or for plasma separation. Thus, the presence of sodium citrate in a light blue stoppered tube makes it uniquely suited for coagulation assays.