Question 28

Light green tube should be used to draw the specimen for a stat chemistry panel.

The stat chemistry panel requires a tube that allows for quick separation of serum from cells, and the light green tube, which contains lithium heparin as an anticoagulant, is ideal for this purpose.

A) Light green

This option is correct because the light green tube contains lithium heparin, which is suitable for a chemistry panel as it facilitates rapid separation of plasma or serum. This property is essential for stat tests where timely results are critical.

B) Light blue

The light blue tube is incorrect for this scenario as it contains sodium citrate, which is primarily used for coagulation studies. It is not appropriate for chemistry panels since it does not provide the necessary quick separation of serum required for such tests.

C) Lavender

The lavender tube is not suitable for a stat chemistry panel because it contains EDTA, an anticoagulant used mainly for hematology tests. While it prevents clotting, it does not facilitate the rapid serum separation needed for chemistry analyses.

D) Red

The red tube is also incorrect because it does not contain any additives that promote quick separation; it is often used for serum collection but is not optimal for stat requests that require immediate results.

Conclusion

The light green tube is the appropriate choice for a stat chemistry panel due to its ability to ensure quick processing and separation of serum. All other options either contain additives unsuitable for chemistry tests or do not support the rapid processing required for stat testing. Thus, option A is definitively the correct answer.