The Use of Vacuum Blood Collection Tubes of Different Colors

Before I started nursing, I saw small bottles in a hospital with many colors and the only thing I knew was that they were used for blood collection. After studying nursing, I realized that there are nine types of vacuum blood collection tubes, each of which has a different function, which is distinguished by the color of the cap.

As a qualified nurse, distinguishing the use of blood collection tubes should be a relatively basic skill, and it is also a clinical nursing operation that does not allow any mistakes. In order to deepen your impression, we have compiled the knowledge and uses of vacuum blood collection tubes of different colors and shared them as follows.

1. Red cap of blood collection tube

Ordinary Serum Tube:

The tube used to collect blood contains no additives, no anticoagulant or procoagulant ingredients, only a vacuum. It is used for routine serum biochemistry, blood bank and serology-related tests, various biochemical and immunological tests, such as syphilis, hepatitis B quantification, etc. It does not need to be shaken after a blood draw. The type of specimen preparation is serum. After blood is drawn, it is placed in a 37°C water bath for more than 30 minutes, centrifuged, and the upper serum is used for later use.

Product link: https://en.gongdong.com/products/serum-clot-activator-tube/

2. The blood collection tube's orange red head cover

Quick Serum Tube:

There is a coagulant in the blood collection tube to speed up the coagulation process. The rapid serum tube can coagulate the collected blood within 5 minutes. It is suitable for emergency serum series tests. It is the most commonly used coagulation test tube for daily biochemistry, immunity, serum, hormones, etc. After blood is drawn, invert and mix 5-8 times. When the temperature is low, it can be placed in a 37°C water bath for 10-20min, and the upper serum can be centrifuged for later use.

Product link: https://en.gongdong.com/products/serum-separation-tubes/

3. Golden cap of blood collection tube

Inert Separating Gel Accelerator Tube:

Inert separating gel and coagulant are added to the tube used to collect blood. Specimens are stable for 48 hours after centrifugation. Procoagulants can quickly activate the coagulation mechanism and accelerate the coagulation process. The type of specimen preparation is serum, which is suitable for emergency serum biochemical and pharmacokinetic tests. After collection, invert and mix 5-8 times, stand upright for 20-30 min, and centrifuge the supernatant for later use.

Product link: https://en.gongdong.com/products/serum-separation-tubes/

4. Black cap of blood collection tube

Sodium citrate ESR test tube

The sodium citrate concentration required for the ESR test is 3.2% (equivalent to 0.109 mol/L), and the ratio of anticoagulant to blood is 1:4. Contain 0.4mL of 3.8% sodium citrate, and draw blood to 2.0mL. This is a special test tube for erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The sample type is plasma, which is suitable for ESR. Immediately after blood drawing, invert and mix 5-8 times. Shake well before use. The difference between it and the test tube for coagulation factor testing is that the concentration of anticoagulant is different from the blood ratio, which should not be confused.

Product link: https://en.gongdong.com/products/esr-tube/

5. Light blue cap of blood collection tube

Sodium citrate coagulation test tube:

Sodium citrate mainly acts as an anticoagulant by chelating calcium ions in blood samples. The anticoagulant concentration recommended by the National Committee for Standardization of Clinical Laboratories is 3.2% or 3.8% (equivalent to 0.109mol/L or 0.129mol/L), and the ratio of anticoagulant to blood is 1:9. The vacuum blood collection tube contains about 0.2 mL of 3.2% sodium citrate anticoagulant, and the blood is collected to 2.0 mL. The type of specimen preparation is whole blood or plasma. Immediately after collection, invert and mix 5-8 times. After centrifugation, take the upper plasma for use. Suitable for coagulation experiments, PT, APTT, coagulation factor examination.

Product link: https://en.gongdong.com/products/coagulation-tube/

6. Green cap of blood collection tube

Heparin anticoagulant tube:

Heparin was added to the blood collection tube. Heparin directly has the effect of antithrombin, which can prolong the coagulation time of the specimen. For emergency and most biochemical experiments, such as liver function, kidney function, blood lipids, blood sugar, etc. It is suitable for red blood cell fragility test, blood gas analysis, hematocrit test, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and general biochemical determination, but not suitable for blood coagulation test. Excessive heparin can cause aggregation of white blood cells and cannot be used for white blood cell counts. It is also not suitable for leukocyte classification because it can make the blood film stained with a light blue background. It can be used for blood rheology. The sample type is plasma. Immediately after blood collection, invert and mix for 5-8 times, and take the upper plasma for use.

Product link: https://en.gongdong.com/products/heparin-tube/

7. Light green head cover of blood collection tube

Plasma separation tube

Adding heparin lithium anticoagulant to the inert separation rubber tube can achieve the purpose of rapid separation of plasma, which is the best choice for electrolyte testing. For emergency and most biochemical experiments, such as liver function, kidney function, blood lipids, blood sugar, etc. Plasma samples can be loaded directly on the machine and are stable for 48 hours under refrigeration. It can be used for blood rheology. The sample type is plasma. Immediately after blood collection, invert and mix for 5-8 times, and take the upper plasma for use.

Product link: https://en.gongdong.com/products/heparin-tube-separator-gel/