Understanding the Purpose of Additives in Venous Blood Collection Tubes

Summary

• Various additives are used in venous blood collection tubes to preserve the integrity of the blood sample and prevent clotting.
• These additives help maintain the stability of the components within the blood sample, ensuring accurate Test Results.
• Understanding the purpose and function of these additives is crucial for healthcare professionals to ensure proper blood collection and analysis.

Introduction

When collecting venous blood samples for analysis, it is essential to use specialized tubes that contain various additives. These additives play a crucial role in preserving the integrity of the blood sample and ensuring accurate Test Results. Understanding the purpose and function of these additives is essential for healthcare professionals working in urgent care clinics.

Anticoagulants

Sodium Heparin

Sodium Heparin is a common Anticoagulant used in venous blood collection tubes. It prevents the blood from clotting by inhibiting the action of thrombin, an enzyme involved in the clotting process. Sodium Heparin is typically used for blood tests that require plasma samples, such as coagulation studies and some chemistry tests.

EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid)

EDTA is another Anticoagulant commonly used in blood collection tubes. It works by binding calcium ions, which are essential for the coagulation process, preventing the blood from clotting. EDTA is typically used for tests that require whole blood or plasma samples, such as complete blood count (CBC) and blood banking.

Citrate

Citrate is an Anticoagulant that works by binding calcium ions similarly to EDTA. It is often used in blood collection tubes for coagulation studies, such as Prothrombin Time (PT) and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) tests.

Preservatives

Boric Acid

Boric acid is a preservative commonly used in blood collection tubes to maintain the stability of glucose levels in the blood sample. It inhibits the enzymatic breakdown of glucose, allowing for accurate glucose testing in the laboratory.

Sodium Fluoride

Sodium Fluoride is another preservative used in blood collection tubes to inhibit glycolysis, the breakdown of glucose in the blood sample. It is often used in tubes for glucose testing to ensure accurate results even if there is a delay in processing the sample.

Sodium Azide

Sodium azide is a preservative that prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi in blood collection tubes. It is commonly used in tubes for microbiology testing to ensure the integrity of the sample during transportation and storage.

Separation Gel

In some venous blood collection tubes, a separation gel is added to the tube's bottom to create a barrier between the serum or plasma and the blood cells. This gel helps facilitate the separation of the serum or plasma from the blood cells during centrifugation, allowing for easier extraction of the desired sample.

Conclusion

Understanding the purpose and function of additives used in venous blood collection tubes is essential for healthcare professionals working in urgent care clinics. These additives play a crucial role in preserving the integrity of the blood sample and ensuring accurate Test Results. By utilizing the right additives for specific tests, healthcare professionals can provide high-quality care to their patients.

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