Clinical Lab Tests and Blood Collection Tubes

A set of vocabulary flashcards identifying key medical laboratory panels, their clinical purposes, and the specific vacuum tube colors used for sample collection.

Cardiac panel

A set of tests used to check for heart muscle damage in patients presenting with chest pain, where Troponin is the key marker.

Lipid panel

A panel that measures cholesterol and triglycerides to assess heart disease risk rather than a heart attack.

BMP

Stands for Basic Metabolic Panel; it checks kidney function, electrolytes, and glucose.

CBC

Stands for Complete Blood Count; it measures RBCs, WBCs, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets.

Bilirubin

A substance used to evaluate liver function and red blood cell breakdown; high levels can cause jaundice.

CMP

A panel consisting of the BMP plus liver function tests and proteins.

Light Blue Tube

The collection tube used for PT/INR, PTT (aPTT), and any coagulation (clotting) tests.

Green Tube

The collection tube used for Troponin, Ammonia, BNP, and STAT chemistry tests.

Gray Tube

The collection tube used for Glucose, Lactate, and Blood alcohol (ethanol).

Yellow (SPS) Tube

The collection tube used for blood cultures.

Pink Tube

The collection tube used for blood bank procedures, specifically Type & Screen and Crossmatch.

Royal Blue Tube

The collection tube used for testing Lead, Heavy metals, and Trace elements.

Gold/Tiger Top (SST)

The collection tube used for CMP, BMP, Lipid Panel, Liver Panel, TSH, and various cardiac enzymes.

Lavender (EDTA)

The collection tube used for CBC, Hemoglobin A1C, ESR, and blood smears.