PhlebotomyQuestion 58 of 100
A plain red-top tube (no additive or with clot activator only) is typically used to collect which specimen type?
a.Whole blood with anticoagulant
b.Serum, after the blood clots
c.Plasma requiring immediate anticoagulation
d.A sterile blood culture
Explanation
A plain red-top tube has no anticoagulant, so the blood is allowed to clot and then centrifuged to yield serum. Serum is used for many chemistry, serology, and blood bank tests. Because it contains no additive, a plain red tube does not require inversion to mix, though clot-activator tubes are inverted.
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