Lesson 4: Blood Collection Equipment, Additives, and Order of Draw Flashcards
Yellow Top Tube (Sodium Polyanethol Sulfonate - SPS)
Additive:
Inversion:
Collection Tube:
Purpose: Blood cultures and microbiological testing
Additive: Sodium Polyanethol Sulfonate (SPS) – an anticoagulant
Processing Section: Microbiology
Tests:
Blood cultures
Mycobacterial culture
Fungal cultures
Inversion: 8-10
Collection Tube: Blood Culture
Light Blue Top Tube (Sodium Citrate)
Additive:
Inversion:
Collection Tube:
Purpose: Coagulation studies
Additive: Sodium Citrate 1:9 – an anticoagulant
Processing Section: Hematology, Coagulation
Tests:
Prothrombin Time (PT)
Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
Coagulation factor assays
D-dimer
Fibrinogen levels
Inversion: 3-4
Collection Tube: Citrate Tube
Gold Top Tube (Serum Separator Tube, SST)
Additive:
Inversion:
Collection Tube:
Purpose: Serum collection with gel separator
Additive: Clot activator and gel separator
Processing Section: Chemistry, Serology, Immunology
Tests:
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Lipid Profile
Renal function tests
Hormone assays
Drug levels
Inversion: 5
Collection Tube: Serum Separator Tube
Red Top Tube (No Additive)
Additive:
Inversion:
Collection Tube:
Purpose: Serum collection
Additive: None (plain tube)
Processing Section: Chemistry, Serology, Immunology
Tests:
Serum chemistry tests
Hormone levels
Therapeutic drug monitoring
Hepatitis screening
Inversion: Plastic (5) Glass(0)
Collection Tube: Serum Tube
Green Top Tube (Heparin)
Additive:
Inversion:
Collection Tube:
Purpose: Plasma collection
Additive: Heparin (sodium, lithium, or ammonium) – an anticoagulant
Processing Section: Chemistry
Tests:
Plasma chemistry tests
Arterial blood gases (ABG)
Ammonia levels
Lithium drug monitoring
Inversion: 8
Collection Tube: Heparin Tube
Light Green Top Tube (Lithium Heparin)
Additive:
Inversion:
Collection Tube:
Purpose: Plasma collection with gel separator
Additive: Lithium heparin and gel separator
Processing Section: Chemistry
Tests:
Plasma chemistry tests
Electrolyte levels
Cardiac markers (troponin, BNP)
Inversion: 8
Collection Tube: Plasma Separator Tube
Lavender Top Tube (EDTA)
Additive:
Inversion:
Collection Tube:
Purpose: Hematology and blood banking
Additive: EDTA – an anticoagulant
Processing Section: Hematology, Blood Bank
Tests:
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Hemoglobin A1c
Blood typing and crossmatching
Sickle cell screening
Reticulocyte count
Inversion: 8
Collection Tube: EDTA Tube
Gray Top Tube (Potassium Oxalate/Sodium Fluoride)
Additive:
Inversion:
Collection Tube:
Purpose: Glucose testing, lactic acid, and alcohol levels
Additive: Potassium oxalate (anticoagulant) and sodium fluoride (glycolytic inhibitor)
Processing Section: Chemistry, Special Testing
Tests:
Glucose levels
Lactic acid levels
Blood alcohol levels
Glucose tolerance test (GTT)
Inversion 8
Collection Tube: Glucose Tube
Black Top Tube (Sodium Citrate)
Additive:
Inversion:
Collection Tube:
Purpose: Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
Additive: Sodium citrate 1:4 – an anticoagulant
Processing Section: Hematology
Tests:
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
Inversion: 8
Collection: Citrate Tube
SPS
Sodium Polyanethol Sulfonate
EDTA
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic
Primarily this is the area/location where we conduct blood collection
Blood-Drawing Station
used for non-surgical and medical examinations
Non Sterile Gloves
made of 100% latex, used in domestics and industrial tasks
Disposable Latex
the superior gloves when it comes to puncture resistance
Nitrile Gloves
usually used for manufacturing and heavy duty procedures
Neoprene Gloves
among all these gloves this is the most economical because it is usually used in light tasks and requires frequent glove changes (transparent)
Polyethylene Gloves
came from synthetic monomer, which is the Polyvinyl chloride, it is less elastic
Vinyl Gloves
To prevent sepsis which are harmful bacteria that typically enter the human body through the wounds
Used in living organisms
Antiseptics
They are the one that is being used in killing microorganisms in surfaces and instruments
Used in non-living things
Disinfectants
Red container/trash bin
Container for used needles and other sharps
Needles & tubes must be separately disposed
Needle and Sharp Disposal Containers
Used in transporting blood and other specimens to the laboratory
Biohazard bags
Helpful in locating vein and identifying the type of vein a patient has whether it is stable, thin, or damaged
Vein-Locating Devices
Constricting device
Aim: make the veins prominent
3-4 inches above puncture site
Tourniquet
Used for withdrawing the blood sample
Shaft: the body of the needle
Lumen: inner part
Bevel: the pointy tip (bevel up)
Appropriate needle gauge ranges from Gauge 20-23 but gauge 21 is most commonly used
Needles
Used in ETS
It has safety features like rubber sleeve that prevents leakage
Multi-Sample Needles
used in syringe method of blood collection
They all have needle hub (you can see if there’s back flow)
Hypodermic
Also known as butterfly because of its wings
Usually used to pediatric and geriatric patients
Winged Infusion
Syringe: most commonly used in phlebotomy
Syringe System
Composed of multi-sample needles, tube holder and Evacuated tube
____ is a closed collection system (to prevent exposure to contaminants)
Evacuated Tube System (ETS)
Most commonly known as blood thinners
Sodium citrate, Heparin, Oxalate
Anticoagulants
Acid citrate dextrose (ACD), citrate phosphate dextrose, sodium polyanethol
Special-use anticoagulants
Substances that prevent the breakdown of glucose by the blood cells
Anti-glycolitic agents
It enhances coagulation in serum specimen tubes
Clotting factor such as thrombin
Clot activators
Inhibits from metabolizing substances, serum and plasma when centrifuged
Ex: yellow top
Thixotropic gel separator
Royal Blue
Used for trace elements tests, toxicology studies, and nutrient determinations
Trace element-free tubes
Natural formed clot
Red top
No additive
Order of Draw
Yellow, Light Blue, Gold, Red, Green, Light Green, Lavender, Grey
