PHLEBOTOMY ALL MODULES QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The Order of Draw - (answer)the order in which blood must be collected via additive/color. The order of
draw may change depending on your lab, facility, manufacturer or workplace procedure. Below is the
order of draw with additional information. Some of these tubes are rarely used in everyday outpatient
labs but it is good for you to know.
additive - (answer)Nutrient AgarAerobic BEFORE Anaerobic
mode of action - (answer)Preserves viability of microorganisms, grows bacteria
uses - (answer)Microbiology - aerobes, anaerobes, fungi, bacteria cultures Requires BUTTERFLY needle
and hub.
Yellow- Black Top Tube - (answer)Additive: Broth mixtureMode of Action: Preserves viability of
microorganismsUses: Microbiology - aerobes, anaerobes, fungi
Yellow Top Tube - (answer)Additive: ACD (acid-citrate-dextrose) (Solution A or B)
Mode of Action: Complement inactivation *May also go last in the order of draw
Uses: HLA tissue typing, paternity testing, DNA studies, Blood Cultures
Light-Blue Top Tube - (answer)Additive: Sodium citrate
Mode of Action: Forms calcium salts to remove calcium
Uses: Coagulation tests (protime and prothrombin time), full draw required
Red Top Tube - (answer)Additive: None
,PHLEBOTOMY ALL MODULES QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Mode of Action: Blood clots, and the serum is separated by centrifugation
Uses: Chemistries, Immunology and Serology, Blood Bank (Crossmatch)
Gold Top (SST) Tube - (answer)Additive: Clot Activator and Thixotropic Gel
Mode of Action: Serum separator tube (SST) contains a gel at the bottom to separate blood from serum
on centrifugation
Uses: Chemistries, Immunology and Serology
Red/Gray Marble Top (SST) Tube - (answer)Additive: Clot Activator and Thixotropic Gel
Mode of Action: Serum separator tube (SST) contains a gel at the bottom to separate blood from serum
on centrifugation
Uses: Chemistries, Immunology and Serology
Orange Top Tube - (answer)Additive: Thrombin
Mode of Action: Quickly clots blood
Uses: STAT serum chemistries
Light Green Top Tube - (answer)Additive: Plasma Separating Tube (PST) with Lithium Heparin
Mode of Action: Anti-coagulates with lithium heparin; Plasma is separated with PST gel at the bottom of
the tube
,PHLEBOTOMY ALL MODULES QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Uses: Chemistries
Dark Green Top Tube - (answer)Additive: Sodium heparin
Mode of Action: Inactivates thrombin and thromboplastin
Uses: For lithium level, use sodium heparinFor ammonia level, use sodium or lithium heparin
Lavender Top Tube - (answer)Additive: Dipotassium EDTA
Mode of Action: Forms calcium salts to remove calcium
Uses: Hematology (CBC) and Blood Bank (Crossmatch); requires full draw - invert 8 times to prevent
clotting and platelet clumping
Pink Top Tube - (answer)Additive: Potassium EDTA
Mode of Action: Forms calcium salts
Uses: Immunohematology
White Top Tube - (answer)Additive: Potassium EDTA
Mode of Action: Forms calcium salts
Uses: Molecular/PCR and bDNA testing
, PHLEBOTOMY ALL MODULES QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Dark Blue Top Tube - (answer)Additive: EDTA
Mode of Action: Tube is designed to contain no contaminating metals
Uses: Trace element testing (zinc, copper, lead, mercury) and toxicology
Light Brown Top Tube - (answer)Additive: EDTA
Mode of Action: Inactivates thrombin and thromboplastin; contains virtually no lead
Uses: Serum lead determination
Black ESR Vacuum Top Tube - (answer)Additive: 3.2% Sodium Citrate (buffered)
Mode of Action: Forms calcium salts to remove calcium
Uses: Westergren Sedimentation Rate; requires full draw
Light Gray Top Tube - (answer)Additive: Sodium fluoride and potassium oxalate
Mode of Action: Antiglycolytic agent preserves glucose up to 5 days
Uses: Glucoses, requires full draw (may cause hemolysis if short draw)
LABELING THE SAMPLE - (answer)A properly labeled sample is essential so that the results of the test
match the patient. The key elements in labeling are:
The Order of Draw - (answer)the order in which blood must be collected via additive/color. The order of
draw may change depending on your lab, facility, manufacturer or workplace procedure. Below is the
order of draw with additional information. Some of these tubes are rarely used in everyday outpatient
labs but it is good for you to know.
additive - (answer)Nutrient AgarAerobic BEFORE Anaerobic
mode of action - (answer)Preserves viability of microorganisms, grows bacteria
uses - (answer)Microbiology - aerobes, anaerobes, fungi, bacteria cultures Requires BUTTERFLY needle
and hub.
Yellow- Black Top Tube - (answer)Additive: Broth mixtureMode of Action: Preserves viability of
microorganismsUses: Microbiology - aerobes, anaerobes, fungi
Yellow Top Tube - (answer)Additive: ACD (acid-citrate-dextrose) (Solution A or B)
Mode of Action: Complement inactivation *May also go last in the order of draw
Uses: HLA tissue typing, paternity testing, DNA studies, Blood Cultures
Light-Blue Top Tube - (answer)Additive: Sodium citrate
Mode of Action: Forms calcium salts to remove calcium
Uses: Coagulation tests (protime and prothrombin time), full draw required
Red Top Tube - (answer)Additive: None
,PHLEBOTOMY ALL MODULES QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Mode of Action: Blood clots, and the serum is separated by centrifugation
Uses: Chemistries, Immunology and Serology, Blood Bank (Crossmatch)
Gold Top (SST) Tube - (answer)Additive: Clot Activator and Thixotropic Gel
Mode of Action: Serum separator tube (SST) contains a gel at the bottom to separate blood from serum
on centrifugation
Uses: Chemistries, Immunology and Serology
Red/Gray Marble Top (SST) Tube - (answer)Additive: Clot Activator and Thixotropic Gel
Mode of Action: Serum separator tube (SST) contains a gel at the bottom to separate blood from serum
on centrifugation
Uses: Chemistries, Immunology and Serology
Orange Top Tube - (answer)Additive: Thrombin
Mode of Action: Quickly clots blood
Uses: STAT serum chemistries
Light Green Top Tube - (answer)Additive: Plasma Separating Tube (PST) with Lithium Heparin
Mode of Action: Anti-coagulates with lithium heparin; Plasma is separated with PST gel at the bottom of
the tube
,PHLEBOTOMY ALL MODULES QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Uses: Chemistries
Dark Green Top Tube - (answer)Additive: Sodium heparin
Mode of Action: Inactivates thrombin and thromboplastin
Uses: For lithium level, use sodium heparinFor ammonia level, use sodium or lithium heparin
Lavender Top Tube - (answer)Additive: Dipotassium EDTA
Mode of Action: Forms calcium salts to remove calcium
Uses: Hematology (CBC) and Blood Bank (Crossmatch); requires full draw - invert 8 times to prevent
clotting and platelet clumping
Pink Top Tube - (answer)Additive: Potassium EDTA
Mode of Action: Forms calcium salts
Uses: Immunohematology
White Top Tube - (answer)Additive: Potassium EDTA
Mode of Action: Forms calcium salts
Uses: Molecular/PCR and bDNA testing
, PHLEBOTOMY ALL MODULES QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Dark Blue Top Tube - (answer)Additive: EDTA
Mode of Action: Tube is designed to contain no contaminating metals
Uses: Trace element testing (zinc, copper, lead, mercury) and toxicology
Light Brown Top Tube - (answer)Additive: EDTA
Mode of Action: Inactivates thrombin and thromboplastin; contains virtually no lead
Uses: Serum lead determination
Black ESR Vacuum Top Tube - (answer)Additive: 3.2% Sodium Citrate (buffered)
Mode of Action: Forms calcium salts to remove calcium
Uses: Westergren Sedimentation Rate; requires full draw
Light Gray Top Tube - (answer)Additive: Sodium fluoride and potassium oxalate
Mode of Action: Antiglycolytic agent preserves glucose up to 5 days
Uses: Glucoses, requires full draw (may cause hemolysis if short draw)
LABELING THE SAMPLE - (answer)A properly labeled sample is essential so that the results of the test
match the patient. The key elements in labeling are:
