BD Vacutainer Guide

Question 1

Gold Tube: What is the additive and how many inversions are needed?

Answer 1

Additive: Clot activator and gel for serum separation
Inversions: 5

Question 2

Gold Tube: What is the laboratory use?

Answer 2

Serum determinations in chemistry (e.g., routine blood donor screening, infectious disease testing).

Question 3

Gold Tube: How long is the clotting time?

Answer 3

30 minutes

Question 4

Light Green Tube: What is the additive and how many inversions are needed?

Answer 4

Additive: Lithium heparin and gel for plasma separation
Inversions: 8

Question 5

Light Green Tube: What is the laboratory use?

Answer 5

Plasma determinations in chemistry.

Question 6

Light Green Tube: How is clotting prevented?

Answer 6

Prevents clotting by mixing anticoagulant (heparin) with blood.

Question 7

Red Tube: What is the additive and how many inversions?

Answer 7

Additive: Silicone coated (glass) / Clot activator (plastic)
Inversions: 0 (glass), 5 (plastic)

Question 8

Red Tube: What is the laboratory use?

Answer 8

Serum determinations (chemistry).

Question 9

Red Tube: How long is the clotting time?

Answer 9

60 minutes

Question 10

Orange Tube: What is the additive and how many inversions?

Answer 10

Additive: Thrombin-based clot activator with gel
Inversions: 5-8

Question 11

Orange Tube: What is the laboratory use?

Answer 11

Stat serum determinations (chemistry).

Question 12

Orange Tube: What is the clotting time?

Answer 12

5 minutes

Question 13

Royal Blue Tube: What is the additive, how many inversions, and what is the laboratory use?

Answer 13

Additive: Clot activator or K₂EDTA (trace-element free)
Inversions: 8
Laboratory Use: Trace-element/toxicology testing. Ensure mixing for clot activation or anticoagulation.

Question 14

Green Tube: What is the additive, how many inversions, and what is the laboratory use?

Answer 14

Additive: Sodium heparin / Lithium heparin
Inversions: 8
Laboratory Use: Plasma determinations in chemistry. Prevents clotting (heparin).

Question 15

Gray Tube: What is the additive, how many inversions, and what is the laboratory use?

Answer 15

Additive: Potassium oxalate/sodium fluoride or NaF/Na₂EDTA
Inversions: 8
Laboratory Use: Glucose determinations (antiglycolytic agent which is NaF). Oxalate/EDTA yields plasma.

Question 16

Tan Tube: What is the additive, how many inversions, and what is the laboratory use?

Answer 16

Additive: K₂EDTA (lead-free)
Inversions: 8
Laboratory Use: Lead determinations. Certified <0.1 μg/mL lead.

Question 17

Yellow Tube: What is the additive, how many inversions, and what is the laboratory use?

Answer 17

Additive: SPS (blood cultures) or ACD (HLA/DNA testing)
Inversions: 8
Laboratory Use: Microbiology (SPS) or blood bank studies (ACD).

Question 18

Lavender Tube: What is the additive, how many inversions, and what is the laboratory use?

Answer 18

Additive: K₂EDTA (liquid/spray-coated)
Inversions: 8
Laboratory Use: Whole blood hematology (e.g., CBC, immunophenotyping).

Question 19

Light Blue Tube: What is the additive, how many inversions, and what is the laboratory use?

Answer 19

Additive: Sodium citrate (coagulation studies) or CTAD (platelet studies)
Inversions: 3-4 / 3-4 (CTAD)
Laboratory Use: Coagulation tests (e.g., PT, APTT). Must fill completely for accurate ratios. Platelet function assays (CTAD).

Question 20

White Tube: What is the additive, how many inversions, and what is the laboratory use?

Answer 20

Additive: K₂EDTA (gel for plasma separation)
Inversions: 8
Laboratory Use: Molecular diagnostics (e.g., PCR). Prevents clotting.

Question 21

Pink Tube: What is the additive, how many inversions, and what is the laboratory use?

Answer 21

Additive: K₂EDTA
Inversions: 8
Laboratory Use: Blood bank cross-matching (special labeling for patient ID).

Question 22

Clear Tube: What is the additive, how many inversions, and what is the laboratory use?

Answer 22

Additive: None (discard tube)
Inversions: 0 (discard)
Laboratory Use: Discard tube