Demonstration should include the tube choice and venipuncture procedures for serum vs. plasma vs. whole blood, to include centrifuge operation and specimen aliquoting.
Process/Skill Questions:
- Which tubes result in the formation of serum? Of plasma?
- What is the role of fibrinogen in the determination of serum or plasma?
- What is the significance of correctly labeling an aliquot?
- How do you determine the centrifugal force needed to separate blood components?
- When is it inappropriate to use a gel separator tube?
- Why must some tubes, such as the light blue-top tube, be filled completely?