Phlebotomy NHA-CPT | 100+ Tube Identification Questions on Additives, Departments, Order of Draw & Anticoagulants | NHA Certification 2025/2026

This focused document provides 100+ graded Q&A entries dedicated to tube identification and additive knowledge, aligned with the NHA-CPT (Certified Phlebotomy Technician) exam from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) for the 2025/2026 academic year. Ideal for students needing to master phlebotomy tube systems, this guide offers a comprehensive review of tube colors, additives, lab departments, and their corresponding tests and anticoagulant properties. Content highlights include: Detailed tube breakdowns: color-coded tops such as light blue, red (glass & plastic), green, lavender, gray, royal blue, pink, tan, and gold/tiger tops Additives and associated departments: EDTA, sodium citrate, heparin, fluoride, oxalate, SPS, thrombin, ACD, and clot activators, organized by clinical department (e.g., hematology, chemistry, coagulation, microbiology, blood bank) Memory joggers and mnemonics: ECHO, phEDTA, “Spring Creates Colorful Light Blue Pansies,” and “Greenhouses Have Colorful Plants” to reinforce additive-department relationships Anticoagulant function summaries: EDTA, citrate, heparin, oxalate, and special-use anticoagulants like ACD and CPD with their mechanisms of clot prevention Correct order of draw based on additive interference and specimen priority, including blood cultures, coagulation, serum, plasma, and glycolytic inhibitor tubes This document is ideal for: Students in Phlebotomy Certification, Medical Assisting, Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Nursing, or Pre-Med programs Learners attending community colleges, vocational healthcare schools, and online NHA-CPT certification prep platforms Instructors and tutors teaching test-tube color codes, additive function, and laboratory workflow essentials Optimized for quick review and tube recognition accuracy, this guide enhances students' ability to select proper collection tubes during mock exams and real-world clinical scenarios. Keywords: phlebotomy tube guide, nha cpt tube identification, additives and departments, anticoagulant function, EDTA sodium citrate heparin, light blue top, SST vs PST, clot activator tube, blood bank tubes, royal blue additive, mnemonic for tubes, order of draw, phlebotomy color codes, gray top test, plasma vs serum tubes