Medical Assistant Certification (MAC) AMCA Practice Exam

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In phlebotomy, what color tube is used to collect samples for hematology tests?

Red
Green
Lavender
Blue

The correct answer is: Lavender

The correct choice for collecting samples for hematology tests is lavender. Lavender tubes contain EDTA (ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid), which is an anticoagulant that prevents blood from clotting. This property is crucial for hematology tests, as these tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC), require whole blood or plasma that's not clotted. The use of EDTA preserves the cellular components of the blood, ensuring accurate results when analyzing different blood parameters like red and white blood cell counts, hemoglobin levels, and platelet counts. The lavender tube's specific formulation allows for optimal sample integrity, which is essential for effective diagnostics in hematology. In contrast, red tubes are generally used for serology or chemistry tests as they typically do not contain any additives that would prevent coagulation, while green tubes are often employed for chemistry tests requiring heparin as an anticoagulant. Blue tubes, on the other hand, are commonly used for coagulation studies but are not suitable for routine hematology testing.