Orange top tubes contain which additive?

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Multiple Choice

Orange top tubes contain which additive?

The test here hinges on knowing what the color-coded tube indicates about its additive. Orange top tubes are filled with a thrombin-based clot activator, which speeds up clot formation so serum is available quickly. Thrombin pushes the coagulation cascade forward by converting fibrinogen to fibrin, forming a clot in a matter of minutes and allowing rapid centrifugation to obtain serum for STAT chemistry or serology. In contrast, citrate-containing tubes prevent clotting and are used for coagulation studies; EDTA preserves cells for hematology tests; and heparin is used for plasma chemistry by inhibiting clotting.

The test here hinges on knowing what the color-coded tube indicates about its additive. Orange top tubes are filled with a thrombin-based clot activator, which speeds up clot formation so serum is available quickly. Thrombin pushes the coagulation cascade forward by converting fibrinogen to fibrin, forming a clot in a matter of minutes and allowing rapid centrifugation to obtain serum for STAT chemistry or serology.

In contrast, citrate-containing tubes prevent clotting and are used for coagulation studies; EDTA preserves cells for hematology tests; and heparin is used for plasma chemistry by inhibiting clotting.

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