LABORATORY IQ

LABORATORY IQ
What percentage of Medical Decisions are based on Laboratory
Testing?
More than 70% of all medical diagnoses are based upon laboratory
testing.
LABORATORY IQ
Q. Why so many tubes drawn for different blood test?
A. Well, you’ll find that each one has a different color of cap. The tubes are designed
for different blood tests. Some have anticoagulant agents inside the tube so the blood
doesn’t clot. Others have special preservatives. Some tubes get centrifuged so that the
blood can be separated into plasma cells. Some are kept at room temperature, some are
Stopper
Color
Do you know your Blood Cells?
A
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B
A. Neutrophils – a type of White Blood Cells; The body’s natural antibiotics. Contain B. Lymphocyte – a type of White Blood Cells; responsible for Immune Response antimicrobial protein that kills microbes. Increased during infection/ inflammation.
produces antibodies against foreign objects in the body.
Symbol
Contents
Uses/Comments
Royal Blue
No additive (serum); special glass
and stopper material
Most drug levels, toxicology screens, and trace elements
Red
No additive
Cryoglobulins and CH50. Some Chemistry, Toxicology, and Drug levels.
Light Blue
3.2% Sodium Citrate
PT, PTT, TCT, CMV buffy coat, Factor Activity.
D-Dimer
Tube MUST be filled 100% - No exceptions!
Gold Top (Serum
Separator, “SST”)
Contains separating gel and clot
activator
Most chemistry, endocrine and serology tests, including Hepatitis and HIV
Light Blue Yellow Label on
Tube
Thrombin
For FDP test ONLY; Obtain tube from Core Lab
Coag; Allow to Clot
Green
Sodium heparin(100 USP Units)
Ammonia, Lactate, HLA Typing
Tan
K2 EDTA
Lead levels
Grey
Potassium Oxalate and Sodium
Fluoride
Glucose Levels
Yellow
ACD Solution A consists of
trisodium citrate, citric acid and
dextrose
DNA Studies, HIV Cultures
Pink
(K2)EDTA
Blood type & Screen, Compatibility Study, Direct
Coombs
HIV Viral Load
Pearl Top
(Plasma
Preparation,
“PPT”)
Light Green
Separating gel and (K2)EDTA
Adenovirus PCR
Toxoplasma PCR
HHV-6 PCR
Lithium Heparin
Plasma determinations in the chemistry department
Lavender
(“Purple”)
(K2)EDTA
CBC/Diff/Retic/Sed Rate, FK506, Cyclosporin,
Platelet Ab, Coombs, Flow Cytometry
D
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C
C. Eosinophil – a type of White blood Cells; implicated in allergic reaction; provides
defense against infections.
D. Atypical or Reactive Lymphocyte – Increased in parasitic patient with
Infectious Mononucleosis.
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F
E
J
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G
E. Thrombocytes (Platelets) - Responsible for hemostasis; form a plug to prevent bleeding after injury
F. Normal Red Blood Cell - the most abundant cell type in the human body; allows oxygen to be transported around the body to the tissues and organs (and carbon dioxide
to be taken away).
G. Sickle Cell (Abnormal red blood cell) - seen in people with Sickle Cell disease.
J. Monocytes - A type of white blood cells that consume bacteria, and viruses, and fungi through
phagocytosis.
K
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H
I
K. Basophils participate in immediate hypersensitivity allergic reactions
H. Budding Yeast in blood from patient with Yeast infection.
I. Malaria Parasite in Blood (Rings of P. falciparum)