Blood Collection Tubes and Order of Draw

Comprehensive flashcards covering blood collection tube types, additives, laboratory departments, and common clinical tests based on lecture notes.

Blood cultures

Tests used to determine the presence of bacterial infection in the blood, often ordered for cases of FUO (fever of unknown origin).

Nutrient broth

An additive in blood culture bottles that promotes the rapid growth of microorganisms if they are present.

SPS (sodium polyanethole sulfonate)

An additive in yellow blood culture bottles that prevents blood from clotting and preserves bacteria.

Aseptic technique

A strict disinfection method of the collection site using chlora prep to prevent contamination.

Aerobic and anaerobic bottles

The two types of bottles used for blood cultures; the aerobic bottle must be drawn first.

Discard tube

A red or clear top tube drawn before the light blue tube to remove air contamination which could affect test results.

Light blue tube

A tube used for coagulation studies containing sodium citrate.

Sodium citrate

An additive that prevents blood clotting by binding to (chelating) $Ca^{2+}$, which is important for the coagulation cascade.

$9:1$ ratio

The precise ratio of $9$ parts blood to $1$ part sodium citrate required for accurate coagulation testing in a light blue tube.

Coagulation studies

Tests including PT, INR, aPTT, D-dimer, and fibrinogen, usually performed on samples from light blue tubes.

Red top tube (glass)

A tube with no additive where blood is allowed to form a clot, producing serum.

Red top tube (plastic)

A tube containing a clot activator often used for chemistry and hormone tests.

SST (Serum Separator Tube)

A tiger, marble, or gold top tube containing silica (clot activator) and a separator gel.

Silica

An additive in SST tubes that causes rapid clot formation.

Separator gel

A substance that forms a physical barrier between cells and serum to prevent contamination.

BMP and CMP

Basic metabolic panel and comprehensive metabolic panel; common chemistry tests performed on serum from SST tubes.

PST (Plasma Separation Tube)

A light green tube containing lithium heparin and thixotropic (separator) gel.

Lithium heparin

An additive that inhibits clotting by binding to antithrombin, inducing a conformational change that inhibits the coagulation cascade.

Dark green tube

A tube containing heparin ($Li$, $Na$, or $NH_4$) without separator gel, used for chemistry and ammonia tests.

Pink tube

A tube used for blood bank testing containing dipotassium EDTA.

K2 EDTA

An additive that binds $Ca^{2+}$ to inhibit the coagulation cascade; it is used to preserve cell morphology and antigen expression.

Type and screen

A common blood bank test that provides knowledge of blood type and antibodies.

Cross match

A blood bank test used to determine donor blood compatibility.

Lavender tube

A tube containing EDTA used for hematology tests; it should not be centrifuged.

CBC (Complete Blood Count)

A hematology test that analyzes the cellular components of blood, including hemoglobin and hematocrit.

Gray tube

A tube containing sodium fluoride and potassium oxalate, usually used for glucose testing.

Sodium fluoride

An additive in gray tubes that prevents glycolysis to preserve glucose levels.

Potassium oxalate

An additive in gray tubes that binds calcium to inhibit the coagulation cascade.

OGTT

Oral glucose tolerance test; a common procedure using gray top tubes.

Royal blue top tube

A tube that is as called for in order of draw. Often used for toxicology and heavy metal testing, such as for lead ($Pb$) poisoning.