Phlebotomy Tubes And Order Of Draw

Front 1

1) Blood Cultures

Back 1

ADDITIVE: NONE
USES: Chemistries, Immunology, Serology, Blood Bank(glass tube only).
ACTION: Blood clots in tube and centrifuge separates.
REQUIREMENTS: Invert plastic tube 5-6 times, Invert glass tube 0.

***Draw these FIRST to prevent contamination.

Front 2

2) Discard Tube " No Additive "

Back 2

3 mL * Must be drawn if only drawing a CITRATE (blue) tube w/ tube holder and a butterfly needle. Use only to remove air from tubing.

Front 3

3) Coagulation Tube (Light Blue)

Back 3

ADDITIVE: Sodium Citrate
USES: Coagulation Tests
ACTION: Gel separates blood by centrifuge.
REQUIREMENTS: Invert 5 - 6 times.

***If just a routine Coagulation assay is the only test ordered, then a single light blue top may be drawn. ** If there is a concern regarding contamination by tissue fluid or thromboplastins, then one may draw a non- additive tube first.
(1.8 ml, 2.7 ml)

Front 4

4) SST (Red- Gold Top Tube Serum Separator Tube)

Back 4

ADDITIVE: Serum Separator Tube (SST Gel) *No Additive*
USES: Chemistries, Immunology, Serology.
ACTION: Gel separates blood by centrifuge.
REQUIREMENTS: Invert 5 - 6 times.

** Red/ Grey Tube is the same but with clot activator.**


(5 mL)

Front 5

5) PST (Light Green top tube)

Back 5

ADDITIVE: Plasma Seperating Tube (PST Gel) Lithium Heparin.
USES: Chemistries
ACTION: ANTI- Coagulant and Gel Separates vis centrifuge.
REQUIREMENTS: Invert 8-10 times.
(4.5mL)

Front 6

6) Sodium Heparin (Dark Green)

Back 6

ADDITIVE: Sodium/ Lithium Heparin.
USES: Plasma Chemistries (Lithium levels use sodium heparin, Amonia levels use either).
ACTION: Inactivates Thrombin and Thromboplastin.
REQUIREMENTS: Invert 8- 10 times.

(4mL and 10mL)

Front 7

7) EDTA (Lavender top)

Back 7

ADDITIVE: EDTA ( Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid).
USES: Hematology, Blood Bank.
ACTION: Forms Calcium salts to remove Ca and prevents clotting.
REQUIREMENTS: FULL DRAW, Invert 8- 10 Times.

(3mL and 6mL)

Front 8

7). EDTA (Potassium) (Pink Top)

Back 8

ADDITIVE: Potassium EDTA, (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid).
USES: Molecular/ Viral loading test.
ACTION: Forms calcium salts to remove Ca and prevent clotting.
REQUIREMENTS: Invert 8- 10 times.
(3ml and 6ml)

Front 9

9) ACDA or ACDB (Yellow Top)

Back 9

ADDITIVE: ACD Solution A or B
USES: HLA B27 Testing, Tissue Typing*,
ACTION: Preserves ATP level, helps maintain red cells shape, prevents haemolysis ,maintains pH.

(8.5 mL)

Front 10

10) FDP (Dark Blue Top Tube)

Back 10

ADDITIVE:Fibrin Degradation Product
USES:D-dimer
ACTION: Contains Soy Trypsim or Soy Trypsim Inhabitor.

Front 11

NO Additive- Royal Blue Top Tube w/ Red strip on label

Back 11

Draw as #4 NO ADDITIVE!!
(7mL)

Front 12

K2 EDTA- Royal Blue Top Tube w/ Blue strip on label

Back 12

K2- EDTA Draw as #7
(6mL)

Front 13

8). Oxalate/ Fluoride (Grey Top)

Back 13

6mL. NA Fluoride