Tube Additives
The additive in a blue top tube.
What is Sodium Citrate?
A CBC goes in
What is a lavender top?
This tube removes calcium from the blood by binding it to form an insoluble salt.
What is an EDTA lavender top?
First in the order of draw because all other additives affect tests in this tube
What is sodium citrate blue top tubes?
The top layer of clear liquid used for testing; also the fluid portion of the blood. Contains fibrinogen
What is plasma?
The additive in a red/yellow top tube.
What is a Clot Activator?
A BMP goes in
What is a green top?
Heparin inhibits thrombin formation in this tube
What is a lithium heparin green tube?
Responsible for more carryover problems than any other additive. Elevates Na and K+ levels, chelates and decreases calcium and iron levels, elevates PT and PTT results. Drawn fourth in the order
What are EDTA lavender top tubes?
Thixotropic gel can be found in these tubes
What are PST and SST tubes?
The additive in a green top tube.
What is lithium heparin?
What is a blue top?
This enhances coagulation
What is clot activator in red or yellow tops?
This additive interferes with the coagulation process so need to be drawn third in the order.
What are lithium heparin green tops?
Normally a clear pale-yellow fluid that can be separated from a clotted blood specimen and does not contain fibrinogen
The additive in a lavender top tube.
What is EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)?
What a lactate goes in
What is a gray top
Has an antiglycolytic agent that prevents glycolysis and an oxalate to remove calcium and prevent clotting by binding and precipitating calcium in the form of an insoluble salt.
What is a sodium fluoride potassium oxalate gray tube?
Second in the order of draw because silica particles activate clotting and affect coagulation tests.
What are red or yellow clot activator tubes?
Is an inert synthetic substance initially contained in or near the bottom of certain blood collection tubes.
What is thixotropic gel?
The additive in a gray top tube.
What is sodium fluoride potassium oxalate?
What a serum test goes in
What is a red or yellow top?
Citrate prevents coagulation by binding (or chelating) calcium
What is a sodium citrate blue top?
Last in the order of draw because it affects sodium and potassium levels, respectively. Filled after hematology tubes because it damages cell membranes and causes abnormal RBC morphology. It also interferes with enzyme reaction.
What is sodium fluoride potassium oxalate gray tubes?
Contains a 9:1 ratio of blood to anticoagulant when filled to the stated volume and must be filled to within 90% of that volume for accurate results
What are sodium citrate blue top tubes?