Frequently Asked Questions about Blood Collection Tubes

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Blood Collection Tubes

1. What type of blood collection tube should be used for each order?
Answer: Depending on the type of test being conducted, different types of collection tubes may be used. Tubes containing an additive for specific tests are commonly marked with colors (e.g. lavender for an electrolyte panel). The specific type of blood collection tube should be determined by referring to the specific test being ordered.

2. How much blood is required for a specific laboratory test?
Answer: It depends on the type of laboratory test that is being done. For example, some tests may require several milliliters of blood while other tests may require only a fraction of that. The collection tube label will indicate how much blood needs to be collected to fulfill the specific test requirement.

3. How often should the blood collection tubes expiration dates be checked?
Answer: Blood collection tubes should be checked for expiration dates before each collection. The additive present in the tube can break down over time, leading to inaccurate test results. It is important to discard expired tubes and replace them with new ones before each collection.

4. Are there different types of clots for blood collection tubes?
Answer: Yes, different collection tubes contain different anticoagulants. Some tubes contain clot activators that promote clotting while others contain substances that inhibit clotting. Different types of clots need to be taken into account when ordering tests to ensure that the appropriate collection tube is being used for each order.

5. What precautions should be taken when handling blood collection tubes?
Answer: Proper precautions should be taken when handling blood collection tubes. Gloves should always be worn when touching the tubes. Additionally, the tubes should never be left outside of a refrigerator for an extended period of time as the additives present in the tube can break down at room temperature and invalidate the results.

6. How should blood collection tubes be labeled when they are taken to the laboratory?
Answer: The collection tube should be labeled with the patient's name and the date and time of collection. Additionally, the collection tube should have the laboratory requisition form attached to it to ensure that there is no discrepancy between the requisition and the actual specimen.