The reason for test tube covers with different colors is because each color tube tests for something else. This is done so that you should not get confused.
When drawing blood you must do it in a specific order, this is called the order or the draw:
Order of the Draw:
Draw: Color tube: Inside the tube is:
| 1 | varies | Blood Cultures |
| 2 | light blue | Sodium Citrate |
| 3 | Red | Clot Activator |
| 4 | Gold | SST |
| 5 | light green | Lithium Heparin |
| 6 | Dark Green | Sodium Heparin |
| 7 | Lavender | EDTA |
| 8 | Grey | Sodium Fluoride |
| 9 | Yellow | ACD Solution |
There are many creative ways to memorize the order. You can find bracelets with the correct color stones in order to help you remember. A cheaper alternative is to memorize a sentence starting with each colors letter. You can make up your own or use this one:
Beware- blood cultures liars – light blue ruin –red good – gold lives- light green doing- dark green less- lavender good- grey yearly- yellow