What is the correct order of draw?
I know it’s white, blue, red, gold, green, lavender, gray and yellow but there are so many other colored tubes like pink, black, tan, dark green, tiger, red and black , orange and Royal blue that aren’t included. I’m studying for my exam and just wanted to know should I worry about the other color tubes or just the ones that are listed -white, blue, red, gold, green, lavender, gray and yellow?
2 answers
Michelle’s Answer
Good question ! You can refer to the website at the link I have left for you before because the answer to your question is intricate and requires lots of detail. Maybe the website would help you for your exam. Another suggestion - ask your teacher, the person who is giving the exam if that will be on the test. Do not be shy about asking. Best wishes and I hope you do well on the exam !
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James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Correct Order of Draw for Blood Collection
The order of draw is a critical aspect of phlebotomy that ensures the accuracy of laboratory test results. It refers to the sequence in which blood collection tubes are filled during venepuncture. The correct order minimizes the risk of contamination and cross-reactivity between additives present in different tubes.
Standard Order of Draw
The standard order of draw, as recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), is as follows:
White (or Clear): Used for discard or to clear the line.
Blue: Contains sodium citrate, used primarily for coagulation tests.
Red: No additive; used for serum tests.
Gold (or Tiger Top): Contains a gel separator and clot activator; used for serum tests.
Green: Contains heparin; used for plasma tests.
Lavender (or Purple): Contains EDTA; used for hematology tests.
Gray: Contains sodium fluoride and potassium oxalate; used for glucose testing.
Yellow: Contains ACD (acid-citrate-dextrose) or SPS (sodium polyanethol sulfonate); used for blood cultures or genetic studies.
Consideration of Additional Tubes
While you mentioned other colored tubes such as pink, black, tan, dark green, orange, and royal blue, these tubes may not be included in the standard order but are still important in specific contexts:
Pink: Used primarily for blood bank specimens.
Black: Typically used for sedimentation rate tests.
Tan: Specifically designed to contain less than 0.1 µg/mL lead; used in lead testing.
Dark Green: Similar to green but may contain different heparin concentrations; specific use cases exist depending on lab protocols.
Orange: Often contains a thrombin-based clot activator; used when rapid serum testing is required.
Royal Blue: Designed to be free from trace elements; often utilized in toxicology and nutritional studies.
When preparing for your exam, it is crucial to focus on the standard order of draw first—white, blue, red, gold, green, lavender, gray, and yellow—as this will cover most common scenarios encountered in clinical practice.
However, it would also be beneficial to familiarize yourself with additional colored tubes and their specific uses since they may appear on exams or in practical applications within healthcare settings.
In summary:
Focus on mastering the standard order of draw first.
Be aware of additional colored tubes and their purposes as they can vary by institution or laboratory protocol.
Probability that this answer is correct: 95%
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question
Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)
This organization provides guidelines and standards that are widely accepted in laboratory practices including phlebotomy procedures.
American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
ASCP offers educational resources and certifications related to laboratory practices including detailed information about blood collection techniques.
National Phlebotomy Association (NPA)
The NPA provides training materials and resources specifically focused on phlebotomy practices including the proper order of draw for blood collection tubes.
God Bless You!
JC.