Phlebotomy

Light blue

Coagulation studies; sodium citrate

Red

Chemistry; no anticoagulant

Red/gray speckle

Chemistry; clot activator + gel separator

Gold

Chemistry; clot activator + gel separator

Green

Chemistry; heparin

Lavender

Hematology/hemoglobin; EDTA

Gray

Blood alcohol or glucose; potassium oxalate + sodium fluoride

Clear, light blue, red, red/gray speckle, gold, green, lavender, gray

Order of draw

Allosteric protein

A regulatory protein that can change its shape (and function) when a molecule binds to it at a site other than its active site (ie: hemoglobin, which transports oxygen at the allosteric site)

Hemoglobin testing

Capillary blood draw

Panic value

A lab or diagnostic test result that falls significantly outside the normal range and indicates a life-threatening or potentially dangerous condition requiring immediate medical attention

Polycythmia

When a patient’s bone marrow is producing too many red blood cells, resulting in high hemoglobin

Hematocrit

Percentage of total blood volume that is many up of red blood cells, measured by capillary blood draw into a very small plastic tube that is centrifuged at very high speeds to separate cell components

Complete blood count

Measures total red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet count, and white blood cell count and ratios via phlebotomy

WBC differential

A count performed on 100 white blood cells to differentiate the various types seen in that representative sample

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

The rate at which red blood cells settle in a calibrated tube within an hour; high rate indicative of inflammation

Glucose testing

A capillary blood test using a handheld meter and reagent strips to monitor blood sugar in diabetic patients

Glucose tolerance test

Tests the ability to metabolize a glucose load (via capillary blood sample) within a prescribed amount of time; performed on patients with high fasting blood sugar to diagnose diabetes mellitus or gestational diabetes

Hemoglobin A1C testing

Measures blood glucose levels over a period of 2-3 months via capillary blood sample; glycohemoglobin remains high when blood glucose levels remain high

Cholesterol testing

A CLIA-waved fasting capillary puncture test that checks blood cholesterol levels in order to monitor and prevent atherosclerosis

Mononucleosis testing

A monotest, a type of immunoassay, that detects the presence of EBV antibodies for diagnosis via capillary puncture

Skin prick allergy testing

An allergy test where the allergen is applied directly to a patient’s skin and scratched or pricked into the epidermis; areas of application are monitored for reddening or itching

Intradermal injection allergy testing

An allergy test in which a small amount of the allergen is injected between the epidermis and dermis; areas of injection are monitored for a reaction, which usually occurs immediately but can take 24-72 hours

Skin patch allergy testing

An allergy test in which an allergen-soaked pad is placed on the surface of the skin for 24-72 hours to observe a reaction

Radioallergosorbent test (RAST)

A blood test that determines the presence of immunoglobulins present in those with allergies; usually used because patient cannot tolerate a skin test

Enzyme immunoassay (EIA)

The standard screening test for HIV, which is a blood test that takes approximately a week to report results

PKU testing

A required screening test done with capillary blood from an infant’s heel to test for phenylketonuria

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

A congenital disease caused by a defect in the metabolism of phenylalanine, causing it to accumulate in the bloodstream and prevent the brain from developing normally, resulting in developmental issues