Which tube types are typically used for routine chemistry, lipid panels, and coagulation studies, and what are their common additives?

Which tube types are typically used for routine chemistry, lipid panels, and coagulation studies, and what are their common additives?

• A. Chemistry: serum tubes (red or gold SST) with clot activator and gel; Lipids: SST; Coagulation: light blue citrate tubes
• B. Chemistry: plasma heparin tubes; Lipids: EDTA; Coagulation: plain red tubes
• C. Chemistry: serum tubes without gel; Lipids: EDTA; Coagulation: citrate tubes
• D. Chemistry: plasma tubes with citrate; Lipids: SST; Coagulation: heparin tubes

Answer: (A)

The main concept is selecting the correct specimen type and additive for each test to obtain accurate results. Routine chemistry and lipid panels are run on serum, which is obtained by collecting blood in a tube that contains a clot activator (to promote clotting) and often a gel separator (to create a clean serum layer after centrifugation). The serum is then used for these tests, and the lipids are typically measured on that same serum product, so a serum separator tube (SST) is ideal. Coagulation studies, on the other hand, require plasma, not serum, and must be collected with an anticoagulant to prevent clotting. The standard is a light blue tube containing sodium citrate, which binds calcium and preserves the clotting factors. The sample must be filled to the correct ratio to ensure accurate coagulation results. So the correct combination is: chemistry and lipid panels use serum tubes with clot activator and gel (SST), while coagulation uses light blue citrate tubes.

The main concept is selecting the correct specimen type and additive for each test to obtain accurate results. Routine chemistry and lipid panels are run on serum, which is obtained by collecting blood in a tube that contains a clot activator (to promote clotting) and often a gel separator (to create a clean serum layer after centrifugation). The serum is then used for these tests, and the lipids are typically measured on that same serum product, so a serum separator tube (SST) is ideal.

Coagulation studies, on the other hand, require plasma, not serum, and must be collected with an anticoagulant to prevent clotting. The standard is a light blue tube containing sodium citrate, which binds calcium and preserves the clotting factors. The sample must be filled to the correct ratio to ensure accurate coagulation results.

So the correct combination is: chemistry and lipid panels use serum tubes with clot activator and gel (SST), while coagulation uses light blue citrate tubes.