Did you know that test tubes have different colors?

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

Summary
Article Name
Remember the Order of the Draw!
Description
Liars- light blue Ruin- red good -gold Lives -light green Doing - dark green Less - lavendar Good - grey Yearly - yellow
Publisher Name
phlebotomycertification101.com
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