For the 7th draw, which color tube is used?

For the 7th draw, which color tube is used?

• A. Royal Blue
• B. Orange
• C. Gold
• D. Green or tan

Answer: (A)

In the NHCO order of draw, tubes are collected in a specific sequence to prevent cross-contamination of additives. The seventh tube is Royal Blue. This color is designated for trace-element testing (and sometimes certain toxicology tests) and is collected last to protect results from carryover of additives in earlier tubes. Royal Blue tubes may be additive-free or contain EDTA, so drawing them last minimizes any potential interference with the other tests. The other colors correspond to different additives and testing needs (for example, Gold is a serum separator, Green contains heparin, Orange is a rapid-thrombin tube), so they are generally drawn earlier in the sequence. Tan can be used for lead/trace metals but isn’t the standard seventh in most NHCO orders.

In the NHCO order of draw, tubes are collected in a specific sequence to prevent cross-contamination of additives. The seventh tube is Royal Blue. This color is designated for trace-element testing (and sometimes certain toxicology tests) and is collected last to protect results from carryover of additives in earlier tubes. Royal Blue tubes may be additive-free or contain EDTA, so drawing them last minimizes any potential interference with the other tests.

The other colors correspond to different additives and testing needs (for example, Gold is a serum separator, Green contains heparin, Orange is a rapid-thrombin tube), so they are generally drawn earlier in the sequence. Tan can be used for lead/trace metals but isn’t the standard seventh in most NHCO orders.