Phlebotomy Tubes for NHA Exam
Questions and Answers
Lavender Top Tube Additive – answer Contains the anticoagulant
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acide (EDTA). EDTA inhibits coagulation by binding to the
calcium present in the specimen. Tubes must be filled at least 2/3 full and inverted 8x.
Lavendar Top Tube Tests – answer CBC, H&H, ESR, Sickle Cell Screening
Light-Blue Top Tube Additive – answer Contains the anticoagulant Sodium Citrate,
which prevents coagulation by binding to the calcium in the specimen. Sodium Citrate
preserves the coagulation factors. Must be completely filled and inverted 3-4x
Light-Blue Top Tests – answer PT, APTT (or PTT), Fibrinogen Degradation Products
(FDP), Thrombin Time (TT), Factor assays, Bleeding Time (BT)
Green Top Tube Additive – answer Contains anticoagulant Heparin combined with
sodium, lithium, or ammoniumion. Heparin works by inhibiting thrombin in the
coagulation cascade. It is not used for hematology because heparin interes with the
Wright's stained blood smear. Invert 8x
Gray Top Tube Additive – answer Contains additives and anticoagulants. All gray top
tubes contain glucose preservative. Invert 8x
Gray Top Tube Test - answerFasting blood sugar (FBS), glucose tolerance test (GTT),
blood alcohol levels, Lactic acid measurements
Red/Gray (speckled) Top Tube Additive - answerAlso called tiger top and serum
separator tubes (SST). Contain clot activators: glass particles, silica, and celite and
thixotropic gel a serum separator. Invert 5x
Red/Gray (speckled) Top Tube Test - answerMost chemistry tests
Red Top Tube Additive - answeraka plain vacuum tube. Contains NO additive or
anticoagulant. No need to invert.
Red Top Tube Test - answerSerum chemistry test, serology tests, blood bank
Yellow Top Tube Additive - answerContains the anticoagulant sodium
polyanetholesulfonate (SPS). Used to collect specimens to be cultured. Must used strict
sterile technique Invert 8x
Pink Top Tube Additive - answerPotassium EDTA.
Questions and Answers
Lavender Top Tube Additive – answer Contains the anticoagulant
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acide (EDTA). EDTA inhibits coagulation by binding to the
calcium present in the specimen. Tubes must be filled at least 2/3 full and inverted 8x.
Lavendar Top Tube Tests – answer CBC, H&H, ESR, Sickle Cell Screening
Light-Blue Top Tube Additive – answer Contains the anticoagulant Sodium Citrate,
which prevents coagulation by binding to the calcium in the specimen. Sodium Citrate
preserves the coagulation factors. Must be completely filled and inverted 3-4x
Light-Blue Top Tests – answer PT, APTT (or PTT), Fibrinogen Degradation Products
(FDP), Thrombin Time (TT), Factor assays, Bleeding Time (BT)
Green Top Tube Additive – answer Contains anticoagulant Heparin combined with
sodium, lithium, or ammoniumion. Heparin works by inhibiting thrombin in the
coagulation cascade. It is not used for hematology because heparin interes with the
Wright's stained blood smear. Invert 8x
Gray Top Tube Additive – answer Contains additives and anticoagulants. All gray top
tubes contain glucose preservative. Invert 8x
Gray Top Tube Test - answerFasting blood sugar (FBS), glucose tolerance test (GTT),
blood alcohol levels, Lactic acid measurements
Red/Gray (speckled) Top Tube Additive - answerAlso called tiger top and serum
separator tubes (SST). Contain clot activators: glass particles, silica, and celite and
thixotropic gel a serum separator. Invert 5x
Red/Gray (speckled) Top Tube Test - answerMost chemistry tests
Red Top Tube Additive - answeraka plain vacuum tube. Contains NO additive or
anticoagulant. No need to invert.
Red Top Tube Test - answerSerum chemistry test, serology tests, blood bank
Yellow Top Tube Additive - answerContains the anticoagulant sodium
polyanetholesulfonate (SPS). Used to collect specimens to be cultured. Must used strict
sterile technique Invert 8x
Pink Top Tube Additive - answerPotassium EDTA.
