Phlebotomy

• Anticoagulant (Plasma) Tubes


  Tubes used to collect blood samples that contain an anticoagulant to prevent clotting
• Anticoagulant tube types


  • Light green (heparin)
  • Lavender/light purple/pink/pearly white (EDTA)
  • Gray (sodium/potassium oxalate and sodium fluoride)
  • Yellow (acid citrate dextrose or sodium polyanethol sulfonate)
  • Royal blue (EDTA or no additive)
• Light green (heparin) tubes

  • Used for coagulation testing, magnetic testing
  • Heparin acts by preventing the clotting of blood
• Lavender/light purple/pink/pearly white (EDTA) tubes

  • Used for hematology studies (e.g. complete blood count)
  • EDTA acts by chelating calcium, preventing clotting
• Gray (sodium/potassium oxalate and sodium fluoride) tubes

  • Used for glucose testing
  • Sodium fluoride prevents glycolysis, which affects test results
• Yellow (acid citrate dextrose or sodium polyanethol sulfonate) tubes

  • Used for DNA analysis, microbiology studies
  • Contain anticoagulants to prevent clotting
• Royal blue tubes


  • Used for trace element, toxicology, and nutrition testing
  • Certified to be free of various contaminants
  • May contain EDTA or no additive
• It is important to check the label to verify the additive in a yellow tube
• Royal blue tubes should be inverted slowly before use due to the possibility of deep additives
• EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)


  A chemical that binds to calcium ions, preventing the clotting process
• Heparin


  A naturally occurring anticoagulant that works by activating antithrombin III, which inactivates clotting factors
• Anticoagulant (Plasma) Tubes


  Tubes used to collect blood samples with an anticoagulant (heparin or EDTA) to prevent clotting, allowing for accurate analysis of the blood sample
• EDTA tubes


  Used for hematology studies, such as a complete blood count (CBC). Typically lavender, light purple, pink, or pearly white in color.
• Hematology studies


  Laboratory tests used to study the blood and blood-forming tissues.
• Complete blood count (CBC)


  A common hematology test that measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood.
• Chelating agent


  A compound that can bind to metal ions, such as calcium, and prevent them from reacting with other substances.
• Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)


  A chelating agent used to prevent blood clotting in EDTA tubes.
• Calcium


  A mineral that is important for many bodily functions, including blood clotting.
• Order of Draw for Venipuncture


  1. Blood culture (may be yellow-topped SPS tubes or special blood culture bottles)

  2. Sodium citrate tubes (light blue tops)

  3. Serum tubes, with or without separator gel or clot activator (mottled red/gray, gold, red, or orange tops)

  4. Heparin tubes (green tops, all shades)

  5. EDTA tubes (lavender, pink, or pearly white tops)

  6. Oxalate tubes (gray tops)
• The correct order of draw for filling tubes during venipuncture collection is
• Blood Type


  • A+
  • B+
  • AB+
  • A-
  • O+
  • O-
  • B-
  • AB-
• Blood Type


  • Can give to
  • Can receive from
• 1. can give to everyone
• AB+ can receive from everyone
• Basilic vein, Veins in the Back of the Hand, Cephalic vein are veins
• Antecubital Veins, Nerves, and Arteries are found in the antecubital fossa
• Parts of the Nervous System


  • Central Nervous System
  • Peripheral Nervous System
• Parts of the Eye


  • Cornea
  • Pupil
  • Iris
  • Sclera
  • Retina
• Parts of the Musculoskeletal System


  • Ball and socket joint
  • Tendon
  • Bone
  • Muscle
  • Hinge joint
• Parts of the Integumentary System


  • Hair shaft
  • Sebaceous gland
  • Openings of sweat ducts
  • Epidermis
  • Dermis
  • Subcutaneous tissue
  • Hair follicle
  • Sweat gland
• Anatomical Terms of Direction and Location


  • Superior
  • Inferior
  • Anterior or ventral
  • Posterior or dorsal
  • Lateral
  • Proximal
  • Distal
  • Medial
• The Chain of Infection


  • Causative Agent
  • Reservoir
  • Portal of Exit
  • Mode of Transmission
  • Portal of Entry
  • Susceptible Host
• Laboratory Organizational Chart


  • Laboratory manager
  • Technical consultant
  • Clinical consultant
  • Testing personnel (medical technologists)
  • Phlebotomy technicians
• Laboratory Departments


  • Chemistry
  • Hematology
  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Blood bank or immunohematology
  • Pathology
  • Cytology
  • Urinalysis
  • Stat departments
• The correct order of draw for filling tubes during capillary collection is: 1. Specimens to measure blood gases, 2. EDTA tubes, 3. Tubes with other additives, 4. Serum tubes
• Lymph nodes


  • Work to fight infection
  • Located throughout the body
• Unlike the circulatory system, the lymph system has no pump
• Lymph fluid circulation


  1. Muscle activity

  2. Massage

  3. Breathing
• Rubbing a sore muscle

  Helps lymph fluid circulate, carrying waste products away from the tired muscle
• Functions of the immune and lymphatic systems


  • Protect the body against disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms
  • Remove excess fluids and waste products from the body's tissues