Final answer:
The correct order for collecting dermal samples starts with the lavender tube, followed by the green and red tubes. The light blue tube is rarely used for dermal punctures.
Step-by-step explanation:
When collecting a dermal blood sample, the order of tube collection is critical to avoid cross-contamination and ensure the accuracy of test results. For dermal punctures, the lavender tube is typically collected first. This is because the lavender tube contains EDTA, which is an anticoagulant that helps preserve the blood cells and prevents clotting. It is particularly important for complete blood counts (CBC) and other hematological tests. Following the recommended order of draw is a standard practice in phlebotomy to maintain the integrity of the blood specimen.
The red tube, which typically contains no additive or may contain a clot activator, and the green tube, which contains heparin, can be collected after the lavender. The light blue tube, which is used for coagulation tests and requires a precise blood-to-additive ratio, is seldom used for dermal punctures due to the small volume of blood collected. It's mainly used for venipuncture collections.
- Lavender tube: First, for EDTA anticoagulated tests like CBC.
- Green tube: Follows after lavender, contains heparin.
- Red tube: Contains no additive or a clot activator, to be drawn after lavender and green.
- Light blue tube: Rarely used for dermal punctures, mainly for venipuncture and coagulation tests.
SUMUP all the final answers as points
- Lavender tubes should be collected first during a dermal sample.
- Red and green tubes are collected afterwards.
- Light blue tubes are rarely used for dermal punctures.