NHA Phlebotomy Certification Practice Exam

What should be prioritized in the order of draw for blood collection?

1. Citrate tubes first

2. Serum tubes first

3. Blood cultures first

4. EDTA tubes first

The correct answer is: Blood cultures first

The order of draw in blood collection is critical to prevent contamination of samples and to ensure accurate test results. Blood cultures should be prioritized first in the order of draw. This is because blood cultures are used to detect the presence of bacteria or other microorganisms in the blood, and if contamination occurs from other tubes, it can lead to false-positive results. When blood is drawn, the venipuncture site may have contaminants that could inadvertently enter the blood sample if drawn later. By collecting blood cultures first, the risk of introducing contaminants from other tubes is minimized. This step is crucial since accurate microbiology results depend on obtaining uncontaminated samples. The subsequent tubes, which include citrate, serum, and EDTA, play roles in various tests requiring different anticoagulants or serum. However, collecting these tubes after blood cultures ensures integrity in the microbiological testing process. In summary, prioritizing blood cultures is essential for obtaining reliable diagnostic results in this specific area of testing.