Which color top is used for CBC testing requiring EDTA?

Which color top is used for CBC testing requiring EDTA?

• A. Gray
• B. Gold
• C. Lavender
• D. Yellow

Answer: (C)

CBC testing requires an anticoagulant that keeps the blood from clotting while preserving the cells for accurate counts. EDTA does this by binding calcium, which stops the clotting process and helps maintain cell morphology. The lavender (purple) top tube contains EDTA, making it the appropriate choice for CBC procedures that require this anticoagulant. Other colored tops serve different tests: gray for glucose testing with fluoride/oxalate, gold for serum chemistry with a clot activator, and yellow for special tests like blood culture or ACD-based studies. So the lavender top is the one used for CBC with EDTA.

CBC testing requires an anticoagulant that keeps the blood from clotting while preserving the cells for accurate counts. EDTA does this by binding calcium, which stops the clotting process and helps maintain cell morphology. The lavender (purple) top tube contains EDTA, making it the appropriate choice for CBC procedures that require this anticoagulant. Other colored tops serve different tests: gray for glucose testing with fluoride/oxalate, gold for serum chemistry with a clot activator, and yellow for special tests like blood culture or ACD-based studies. So the lavender top is the one used for CBC with EDTA.