Test Order
Additives and Actions
Troubleshooting
Tube Identification
Sample Collection
100

A physician orders a PT, CBC, and glucose testing. Which tube must be drawn first?

Light Blue

100

Which additive works by binding calcium to prevent clotting?

EDTA, Sodium Citrate

100

What is the most common cause of hemolysis during venipuncture?

Aggressive mixing of the additives

100

Which tube is most commonly used for CBC testing?

Lavender

100

What vein is usually the first choice for routine venipuncture?

Median cubital vein

200

Why are blood cultures collected before all other tubes?

To reduce the risk of specimen contamination

200

Which additive is found in Light Blue tubes and why is the blood-additive ratio critical?

Sodium Citrate; inaccurate ratios affect coagulation results

200

A light blue tube is only half-filled. What should the phlebotomist do?

Recollect the specimen

200

Which tube is commonly used for PT and INR? 

Light Blue

200

How many patient identifiers are required before specimen collection?

2 ( FUll name and date of birth)

300

What type of error occurs when EDTA contaminates a chemistry specimen?

Additive carryover

300

Which additive is responsible for preserving glucose levels after collection?

Sodium Fluoride

300

A patient pumps their fist repeatedly during collection. Which test nay be falsely elevated?

Potassium

300

Which tube is commonly used for glucose tolerance testing?

Gray

300

When should a tube be labeled?

Immediately after collection in the patient's presence

400

A phlebotomist accidentally draws a lavender tube before a green tube. Which electrolyte result may be falsely elevated?

Potassium

400

Which tube contains lithium or sodium heparin?

Green

400

Why should a tourniquet not remain on for longer than a minute?

It may cause Hemoconcentration 

400

Which department most commonly receives specimens specimens collected in Green tubes?

Chemistry

400

What is the maximum acceptable tourniquet application time?

One minute or less

500

A Patient requires blood culture, PT, CMP, CBC, and glucose testing. Name every tube in order.

Blood culture, Light blue, Gold/Red, Green, Lavender, and Gray

500

A specimen is collected in a tube containing EDTA. Would serum or plasma be contained?

Plasma

500

A chemistry specimen arrives with visible hemolysis. What would happen?

The specimen would be rejected and ordered for recollection

500

Which tube contains a clot activator and gel separator?

Gold (SST)

500

A patient fells dizzy during a blood draw. What is the phlebotomist's first action?

Remove the tourniquet and needle, then assist the patient and support their head if needed