Question

Venous blood samples are often obtained in the pre-hospital setting for various tests to be performed at the hospital. What color tube stopper would a paramedic want to use if law enforcement at an accident requests the patients involved have their blood drawn at the scene to be tested for the possibility of alcohol intoxication at the hospital?

A) Gray

B) Light blue

C) Lavender

D) Green

Answer 1

In the pre-hospital setting, a paramedic should use a tube with a gray stopper to preserve blood samples for alcohol intoxication testing as required by law enforcement.

Step-by-step explanation:

When law enforcement requests that blood be drawn at an accident scene to test for alcohol intoxication, the pre-hospital healthcare provider such as a paramedic should use a tube with a gray stopper. This gray stopper tube typically contains potassium oxalate and sodium fluoride, which are preservatives and anticoagulants that help to preserve the glucose levels and prevent the blood from clotting. Sodium fluoride also inhibits the glycolysis process, making it especially useful for preserving alcohol levels in the blood for analysis.