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