Which anticoagulant is used in vacutainer?

Sodium heparin
Types of tubes

Tube cap color or type Additive
Dark green Sodium heparin (anticoagulant)
Mint green Lithium heparin (anticoagulant)
Lavender (“purple”) EDTA (chelator / anticoagulant)
Pink EDTA (chelator / anticoagulant)

How many times do you invert an anticoagulant tube?

Whole Blood: Collect whole blood in the collection tube specified for the test. To avoid clotting, invert tube 8-10 times to mix the blood with the anticoagulant. Never freeze whole blood unless specifically instructed in the specimen requirements.

How many times should an EDTA tube be inverted after collection?

Pink-top tube (EDTA) This tube contains EDTA as an anticoagulant. These tubes are preferred for blood bank tests. NOTE: After the tube has been filled with blood, immediately invert the tube 8-10 times to mix and ensure adequate anticoagulation of the specimen.

What are three common additives in blood tubes?

Blood Collection Tubes

Tube cap color Additive
Red or gold (mottled or “tiger” top used with some tubes) Serum tube with or without clot activator or gel
Green Sodium or lithium heparin with or without gel
Lavender or pink Potassium EDTA
Gray Sodium fluoride, and sodium or potassium oxalate

How much is EDTA in vacutainer?

A. The nominal EDTA concentration is 1.8mg EDTA per milliliter of blood.

How many inversions are needed in a red top tube?

All tubes must be gently inverted 8 – 10 times to provide thorough mixing of additives. C. Shaking the tube vigorously may cause hemolysis of the blood (separating of red blood cells).

How many inversions do you need for blood tubes?

All tubes (except red top tubes which contain no additives) must be gently inverted 5 to 8 times immediately after filling, to ensure proper mixing of blood and anticoagulant, or other additives.

How many times do you invert a light blue tube?

Sodium Citrate Tubes/Coagulation (Light Blue Top) Gently invert the tube 3 to 4 times immediately after collection. NOTE: Light Blue top tubes must be allowed to fill completely; the ratio of blood to anticoagulant is critical.

What is EDTA used for in phlebotomy?

EDTA acts as an anticoagulant, binding the calcium ions and interrupting the clotting of the blood sample. EDTA is used for most hematology procedures, assessing complete blood count, preparing EDTA plasma, whole blood collection and bone marrow specimens.