Table of Contents
How much blood goes in a tube?
Adult tubes generally hold from 3 to 10 ml of blood. Pediatric tubes usually hold from 2 to 4 ml. Tubes for fingersticks or heelsticks generally hold one half ml or less.
What is the acceptable amount of blood when filling EDTA tubes?
1.0 ml
Acceptable complete blood count values of under-filled powdered K(2)EDTA tubes can be obtained with as little as 1.0 ml of blood.
How can you ensure the proper filling of collection tubes?
Fill blood collection tubes completely (until vacuum is exhausted) to ensure the correct blood to anticoagulant ratio necessary for accurate patient results. Specimens may be rejected by the laboratory if the tube is short-filled or over-filled.
Why do evacuated tubes fill with blood?
The evacuated tubes fill with blood automatically because of a vacuum that exists inside the tube. The amount of vacuum is pre-measured so that the tube will draw a precise amount of blood. A tube that has lost its vacuum will not fill with blood.
How full do you fill your lab vials?
The lab told me to let the vacuum fill the tube–or just to the line for a microtainer. If you fill it too full, like forcing more blood than the vacuum wants, when they spin the tube, the top comes off and the blood goes all over the place. Not good. Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.
How long does it take for blood to clot in a tube?
Invert tube 5-10 times to activate clotting. Allow blood to clot at room temperature for 30 minutes. NOTE: Avoid hemolysis. Whole Blood: Draw a sufficient amount of blood with the indicated anticoagulant.
What kind of transport tube do you use for whole blood?
Use: Sodium fluoride whole blood or plasma. Send plasma in a plastic transport tube labeled “Plasma, Sodium Fluoride.” Send whole blood in a gray-top tube. Blue-top tube (also light blue-top tube): Contains sodium citrate.
What happens when you put blood into a vacuum tube?
Attempts to force more blood into the tube by exerting pressure, as in collection with a syringe, will result in damage to the red cells (hemolysis). If the vacuum tube is not filling properly, and you are certain that you have entered the vein properly, substitute another tube. Occasionally, vacuum tubes lose their vacuum.