NHA Phlebotomy Certification Practice Exam

Which type of bottles are needed for blood cultures in an ICU patient?

1. Aerobic and anaerobic bottles

2. Serum and plasma tubes

3. EDTA tubes

4. Heparinized tubes

The correct answer is: Aerobic and anaerobic bottles

For blood cultures in an ICU patient, aerobic and anaerobic bottles are essential because they allow for the detection of a wide range of pathogens living in different oxygen conditions. Infections can be caused by both aerobic organisms that thrive in oxygen-rich environments and anaerobic organisms that grow in the absence of oxygen. By using both types of bottles, clinicians maximize the chances of identifying the causative organism of an infection, which is crucial for determining the appropriate treatment. In contrast, serum and plasma tubes are primarily used for other types of laboratory tests, such as chemistry panels or serology studies, and do not support the growth of microorganisms. EDTA tubes are designed for hematology tests, as EDTA is an anticoagulant that preserves blood cells but is not suitable for cultures. Heparinized tubes are also inadequate for culture purposes because they can interfere with bacterial growth and do not provide the optimal environment for culture detection. Therefore, using both aerobic and anaerobic bottles is the correct approach for effectively identifying pathogens in blood culture testing.