Question 64

Gold and lavender top tubes are required for the tests listed.

To perform an A1C, CBC, hepatic panel, and a comprehensive metabolic panel, the phlebotomist will need gold and lavender top tubes. These tubes contain the appropriate additives necessary for the specific tests indicated.

A) Yellow and blue

Yellow top tubes are typically used for blood cultures and special tests that require sodium polyanethol sulfonate (SPS) anticoagulant. Blue top tubes are primarily used for coagulation tests. Neither of these tube types contains the necessary additives for the tests mentioned, making this option incorrect.

B) Gold and lavender

Gold top tubes are used for serum tests, which are essential for the comprehensive metabolic panel and hepatic panel, while lavender top tubes contain EDTA, which is necessary for the complete blood count (CBC) and A1C. This combination of tubes is suitable for all the tests listed in the question.

C) Green and gray

Green top tubes contain heparin, which is suitable for certain tests but not for the A1C or CBC, while gray top tubes contain sodium fluoride and are typically used for glucose testing and lactate levels. Thus, this combination does not include the correct tubes for the tests required.

D) Red and black

Red top tubes are used for serum tests, but they lack any additive, which is not suitable for the CBC and A1C. Black top tubes are generally used for specific sedimentation rate tests and do not apply to the tests in question. Therefore, this option is also incorrect.

Conclusion

The correct answer is B, as gold and lavender top tubes provide the necessary additives for performing an A1C, CBC, hepatic panel, and comprehensive metabolic panel. All other options fail to include the appropriate tubes needed for the specified tests, making them unsuitable choices.