Medical Assistant Certification (MAC) AMCA Practice Exam

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Which additive is typically found in a lavender tube top?

Sodium Citrate
EDTA
Heparin
Gel Separator

The correct answer is: EDTA

The correct additive commonly found in a lavender tube top is EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid). EDTA is an anticoagulant that functions by binding calcium ions in the blood. This is critical for preventing blood coagulation, which is essential when performing various hematological tests such as complete blood counts (CBC). The use of EDTA helps to ensure accurate results by maintaining the cellular components of blood in their natural state, making it ideal for testing purposes. The other options involve different functions or uses in laboratory settings. Sodium Citrate, for instance, is primarily used in blue top tubes for coagulation studies, while Heparin is found in green top tubes and is another type of anticoagulant used mainly for plasma tests. The Gel Separator is found in SST (serum separator tubes), typically designated by a gold or red top, and is used for serum tests rather than assays requiring whole blood or plasma. Each of these additives has specific roles and is associated with particular tube colors, underscoring the importance of knowing which additives align with the tests being conducted.