Chapter 7: Tubes, Order of Draw, and Blood Tests Vocabulary

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards based on Chapter 7 covering phlebotomy terms, tube additives, department designations, and common laboratory tests.

Aerobic

With oxygen.

Anaerobic

Without oxygen.

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

The amount of alcohol (ethanol) in the bloodstream.

Culture and Sensitivity (C&S)

A two-part test in which the culture detects pathogenic microorganisms and the sensitivity determines effective antibiotics.

Aliquot

To separate a portion of a larger sample for testing.

Centrifuge

To spin a sample to separate its components.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

A panel of tests to evaluate a patient's overall health.

Bacteremia

The presence of bacteria in the bloodstream.

Crossmatching

A test that determines blood compatibility between donors and recipients.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

A blood clot that forms in a deep vein, often in the legs.

Differential (Diff)

A test that measures the percentage of each of the five types of white blood cells.

Hematocrit (Hct)

The percentage of red blood cells in a blood sample.

Hemoglobin (Hgb)

An iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Plasma Separator Tube (PST)

A blood collection tube containing anticoagulant and gel that is used to separate plasma from cells after centrifugation.

EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid)

An anticoagulant that prevents clotting by binding calcium.

Laboratory Test Directory

A comprehensive list of lab tests and their requirements.

FUO

Fever of unknown origin.

Nutrient Broth

A liquid solution in blood culture bottles used to grow microorganisms.

Potassium Oxalate

An anticoagulant, often used with sodium fluoride, that prevents blood clotting by binding calcium.

Sodium Fluoride

An additive that preserves glucose.

Thixotropic Gel

A synthetic substance that acts as a barrier between the serum and the packed blood cells after centrifugation.

Serum Separator Tube (SST)

A blood collection tube containing clot activator and gel that is used to separate serum from cells after centrifugation.

Sodium Polyanethol Sulfonate (SPS)

An anticoagulant that preserves microorganisms and prevents clotting by binding to calcium.

Silica

A clot activator added to serum tubes to promote rapid clotting of blood samples.

STAT

To be done immediately.

Sodium Citrate

An anticoagulant that prevents blood from clotting by binding calcium.

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM)

The clinical practice of measuring specific drug levels in a patient's bloodstream at scheduled intervals to ensure an effective dose and prevent toxicity.

Trace Elements

Minerals required in very small amounts to support essential biological functions.

WNL

Within normal limits.

$$\text{mEq/L}$$

Milliequivalent per liter; a unit abbreviation commonly used in blood testing.

$$\text{mg/dL}$$

Milligrams per deciliter; a unit abbreviation commonly used in blood testing.

Light Blue-Top Tube

A blood collection tube containing sodium citrate additive, processed in the coagulation department for tests such as PT/INR, PTT, aPTT, and D-Dimer, yielding plasma.

Red-Top Tube

A blood collection tube containing no additive in glass or a clot activator in plastic, used in chemistry for serum tests such as therapeutic drug monitoring and often as a discard tube.

Gold-Top Tube

A blood collection tube containing silica and thixotropic gel (SST), processed in chemistry for serum tests including metabolic panels, lipid panels, CRP, hCG, electrolytes, and hepatic/renal function panels.

Light Green-Top Tube

A blood collection tube containing lithium heparin (or lithium heparin with thixotropic gel/PST), processed in chemistry for STAT chemistry tests, hCG, and electrolytes, yielding plasma.

Dark Green-Top Tube

A blood collection tube containing sodium heparin additive, used in chemistry for plasma tests such as ammonia and chromosome studies.

Lavender-Top Tube

A blood collection tube containing K2 EDTA, processed in hematology for tests including CBC, ESR, H&H, and HbA1c, yielding whole blood or plasma.

Pink-Top Tube

A blood collection tube containing K2 EDTA additive, processed in blood bank/immunohematology for blood typing and crossmatching, yielding whole blood.

Gray-Top Tube

A blood collection tube containing sodium fluoride and potassium oxalate, used in chemistry for glucose, lactic acid, and blood alcohol concentration (ETOH) testing, yielding plasma.

Royal Blue-Top Tube with a Red Stripe

A supplementary blood collection tube containing no additive, used in chemistry for trace element analysis (e.g., selenium, copper), yielding serum.

Royal Blue-Top Tube with a Lavender Stripe

A supplementary blood collection tube containing K2 EDTA additive, used in chemistry for trace element analysis (e.g., zinc, arsenic, lead), yielding plasma.

Prothrombin Time (PT)

A coagulation test that measures the length of time for a patient's blood to clot.

International Normalized Ratio (INR)

A coagulation assessment that evaluates the levels of clotting factors in the blood.

Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT)

A coagulation test measuring the length of time for a patient's blood to clot.

Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)

A coagulation test serving the same purpose as PTT but offering higher sensitivity.

D-Dimer

A coagulation test that helps rule out the presence of a blood clot.

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

A hematology test measuring how quickly red blood cells settle.

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)

A blood test used to diagnose and monitor diabetes.

Discard Tube

A tube collected prior to target sample collection (e.g., before a light blue-top tube when using a winged infusion set) to clear air from tubing or prevent additive cross-contamination.