Title: Explain the order of the draw (for tubes).
Course: Medical Laboratory Technology I (14102-I) > Section: Understanding the Basics of Specimen Collection

Explanation should address the risk of additive carryover and include the proper current sequence of tube collection. It should include the differences among collection methods (e.g., syringe vs. multiple sample vs. capillary collection), as well as the differences among capillary tubes (e.g., blue-top, red-top, purple-top or EDTA tube).

Process/Skill Questions:

- Why is it important to fill the light blue-top tube first in coagulation testing?
- What potential erroneous results may be seen as a result of drawing an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA, or purple) tube prior to a red-top tube?
- Why is a lavender microtainer collected before all others in a capillary collection?
- What is the effect of additive carryover?