Blood collection tube colors, their additives, and the correct order of draw tested on phlebotomy certification exams.
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- What is the correct first tube to draw in the standard order of draw?
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Blood culture tube (yellow top, SPS)- What does SPS stand for in a blood culture tube?
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Sodium polyanetholesulfonate- Which tube color is drawn second in the order of draw, right after blood cultures?
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Light blue top- Light blue top tube additive
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Sodium citrate- What test is the light blue (sodium citrate) tube used for?
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Coagulation studies such as PT and PTT- Why must a light blue coagulation tube be filled to its exact draw volume?
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To keep the correct blood-to-citrate ratio for accurate results- What color is a plain serum tube with no additive and no gel?
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Red top- What is the common abbreviation for a gold or tiger-top serum tube?
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SST (serum separator tube)- What does the gel in an SST (gold top) tube do?
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Separates serum from blood cells during centrifugation- What additive is in a gold/tiger top (SST) tube besides the separator gel?
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Clot activator- In the order of draw, do serum tubes (red/SST) come before or after coagulation tubes?
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After- What additive is found in a green top tube?
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Heparin (sodium or lithium)- What is a green top (heparin) tube commonly used for?
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Plasma chemistry tests, such as stat electrolytes or ammonia- How does heparin prevent blood from clotting?
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It inhibits thrombin formation- Lavender (purple) top tube additive
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