NHA Phlebotomy Certification Practice Exam

What color of tube does the phlebotomist use for blood bank testing?

1. Red plastic

2. Red glass

3. Yellow

4. Pink

The correct answer is: Pink

The appropriate color of tube for blood bank testing is pink. This tube contains ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), which is an anticoagulant that helps preserve the integrity of blood samples for testing, particularly for blood typing and crossmatching. The use of a pink top tube specifically signifies that the sample is intended for blood bank procedures, ensuring that patients receive the correct blood type during transfusions. While red tubes—whether plastic or glass—are typically used for serum tests and do not contain any additives that would preserve blood cells, the yellow top tube generally contains additives such as a gel for serum separation or is utilized for microbiological cultures. The pink tube’s direct connection to blood bank testing makes it the correct choice in this scenario.