Clin Path - Blood Samples/Testing

Color of Heparin

Green/tan

what is heparin used for

tests that require plasma samples (blood chem analyses)

how does heparin work

prevents prothrombin and thrombin conversion

how to use heparin

Coat the inside walls of syring before use

negative of heparin

interferes with WBCs

positive of heparin

reversible and non-toxic

what does EDTA stand for

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

color od EDTA tubes

Purple / royal blue/ tan

what are EDTA's used for

hematology studies

positive of EDTA tubes

- preserves well

- does not alter morphology

How do EDTA tubes work?

prevents clots by stopping calcium

negative of EDTA tubes

- irreversible

- shrinks cell

color of oxalate tubes

gray

what are oxalate tubes used for

coagulation

how do oxalate tubes work

stops calcium

positive of oxalate tubes

temporary

negative of oxalate tubes

variable effects

color of citrate tubes

light blue

what are citrates used for

coagulation and transfusions

how do citrates work

stops calcium

positive of citrates

- non-toxic

- reversible

negative of citrates

interferes with blood chemistry

color of fluoride tubes

gray

what are fluorides used for

preserve blood glucose

how do fluorides work

stops calcium

positive of fluorides

Inhibits cell metabolism

negative of fluorides

Interferes with enzymatic tests

what % of patients body weight per blood draw

1%

what % of patients body weight per week

no more than 10%

what is healthy blood made of

- 50% cellular

- 50% fluid

what may dehydrated blood look like

- 70% PCV (cellular)

- 30% fluid

how much blood to collect

enough to run planned assays 3 times

what to do before any test

innervate 5-10 times

how to perform venipuncture

with the least tissue injury possible

what may tissue injury cause

- contamination

- hemolysis

what restraint should be used to collect blood

sternal recumbency

what to do at area of venipuncture

- shave

- apply pressure distal to site

- clean with alcohol

what to avoid when holding off vein

hemoconcentration

how should needle be inserted

- bevel up

- 30 degree angle

what to do after blood draw

apply pressure to ensure hemostasis

why not to transfer blood through needle

may hemolyze

why to innervate blood right after its in tube

to distribute anticoagulant

what system to use if multiple tests are needed

vacuum system

why must a specific order be used with multiple tubes

prevent additives mixing

order of tubes

- Citrate

- Glass (no additives)

- Gel separator

- Heparin

- EDTA

- Oxalate/fluoride