NHA Phlebotomy Certification Practice Exam

What type of tube should be used for collecting blood cultures?

1. A plastic serum tube

2. A glass EDTA tube

3. A special blood culture bottle

4. A heparinized plasma tube

The correct answer is: A special blood culture bottle

The correct answer is a special blood culture bottle because these bottles are specifically designed for the collection and preservation of blood specimens for microbiological testing. Blood cultures are used to detect the presence of bacteria or fungi in the bloodstream, and the bottles provide an optimal environment for the growth of these microorganisms. They often contain specific growth media that support the growth of various pathogens, making them ideal for culture and subsequent testing. In addition, using blood culture bottles helps minimize contamination and improve the accuracy of the results. These bottles typically come with specialized features, such as vacuum systems and antimicrobial agents, to enhance the collection process and preserve the integrity of the sample before testing. In contrast, other types of tubes like plastic serum tubes, glass EDTA tubes, and heparinized plasma tubes are intended for different purposes, such as serum separation or hematology tests, and do not provide the necessary conditions for the culturing of pathogens. Thus, they are not suitable for collecting blood cultures where accurate detection of infections is needed.