What tests go in what color tubes?
Blood Collection Tubes
| Tube cap color | Additive | Common laboratory tests |
|---|---|---|
| Lavender or pink | Potassium EDTA | Hematology and blood bank |
| Gray | Sodium fluoride, and sodium or potassium oxalate | Glucose (especially when testing will be delayed), blood alcohol, lactic acid |
What additive is in the yellow tube?
sodium polyanethol sulfonate
Light yellow top tube contains the additive sodium polyanethol sulfonate (SPS). This tube is used for blood bank studies, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) phenotyping, DNA, and paternity testing.
What additive is in the green tube?
Green – Tube contains Lithium Heparin, PST™ Gel additive with or without Amber Coating to protect light sensitive assays, used for plasma chemistry testing. Mix by inverting 10 – 15 times immediately after collection. Tube inversions prevent clotting.
What is the purple top tube used for?
The purple top tube provides blood for infectious disease tests and ascertaining important data such as ABO/Rh (blood type), as well as whether the blood is positive or negative for cytomegalovirus (CMV), HIV, hepatitis, and West Nile virus, to name a few.
What tests are done in a yellow top tube?
Gray top tube with potassium oxalate/sodium fluoride: used for lactic acid testing and other plasma or whole blood determinations. Yellow top tube with ACD (acid citrate dextrose) Solution A or B: used for whole blood determinations including flow cytometry and tissue typing assays.
What color tube has no additives?
Red
PHLEBOTOMY SERVICES
| STOPPER COLOR | CONTENTS | VOL. |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Blue | No additive (serum); special glass and stopper material | 7.0 mL |
| Red | No additive | 7.0 mL |
| Light Blue | 3.2% Sodium Citrate | 4.5 mL |
| Gold Top (Serum Separator, “SST”) | Contains separating gel and clot activator | 6.0 mL |
What is the green top tube used for?
Lithium Heparin (Green-Top Tube)*: This tube is used for the collection of heparinized plasma or whole blood for special tests. *Note: After the tube has been filled with blood, immediately invert the tube gently several times to prevent coagulation.
How do you invert a tube?
To invert a test tube (or bottle, etc.) filled with water into a beaker of water, place a piece of filter paper on top of the brim-full tube, wait until the water has soaked into the paper enough to hold it on, then invert the tube and insert it into the beaker at an angle slightly off-vertical.