A physician requests a complete analysis of a patient's blood composition along with a measure of their glucose levels after an overnight fast. How should the specimens be collected to meet these requirements?
A coagulant-containing tube is used for the blood composition test and a tube with a preservative for the glucose levels.
Both tests can be performed from whole blood collected in a single heparinized tube.
The test for blood composition should utilize a tube containing EDTA, while the glucose levels should be measured using blood drawn into an antiglycolytic agent containing tube.
Serum separator tubes should be used for the blood composition profile, and EDTA tubes would be appropriate for the fasting glucose test.
A Complete Blood Count (CBC) typically requires whole blood collected into a tube with an anticoagulant, such as EDTA, which preserves the cellular components of the blood. Glucose level analysis, often after a period of fasting, is performed on serum; hence, blood needs to clot first in a tube without an anticoagulant, like a serum separator tube, typically a grey top tube that may also contain an antiglycolytic agent to prevent glycolysis. It is critical to collect the specimens in the appropriate tubes to ensure the accuracy of the test results and avoid cross-contamination of additives between the tubes.
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