Common Laboratory Tubes

What additive is in red top tubes?

What additive is in red top tubes?

Clot activator coating (no anticoagulant)

What are red top tubes used for?

Clinical Chemistry

What does red top tubes yield?

Serum

What additive is in serum separators / tiger top tubes?

Clot activator and gel (no anticoagulant)

What are serum separators / tiger top tubes used for?

Clinical Chemistries

What do serum separators / tiger types yield?

Serum

What additives are in plain red top tubes?

May have clot activator or coating (no anticoagulant)

What are plain red top tubes used for?

Clinical Chemistry

What do plain red top tubes yield?

Serum

What additive is in Purple Top Tubes?

EDTA

What are purple top tubes used for?

Hematology

What do purple top tubes yield?

Plasma

What additive is in Blue Top Tubes?

Potassium / Sodium Citrate

What are blue top tubes used for?

Coagulation testing (PT, aPPT)

What additive is in green top tubes?

Heparin

What are green top tubes used for?

Clinical Chemistry

What do green top tubes yield?

Plasma

What additive is in grey top tubes?

Glycolysis Inhibitor

What are grey top tubes used for?

Glucose and lactate testing (Diabetic testing)

What additive is in white top tubes?

None

What are white top tubes used for?

Urine

What is the correct order to filling tubes?

1. Blood Cultures

2. Citrate Tube (BTT)

3. Serum Separator/Plain Red Top Tube

4. Heparin (Green Top)

5. EDTA (PTT)

6. Flouride (Grey Top)