Which color tube is typically used for serum tests?

The red tube is specifically designed for serum tests because it is often a serum separator tube (SST) or a plain tube that does not contain any anticoagulants. When blood is collected in a red tube, it allows for the formation of a clot, and subsequently, the serum can be separated from the clot after centrifugation. This is essential for many laboratory tests that require serum as the sample type, allowing for accurate analysis of various components such as electrolytes, enzymes, and hormones.

Other tubes, such as the green, blue, and yellow tubes, contain different additives that are used for other types of tests. Green tubes typically contain heparin and are used for tests requiring plasma rather than serum. Blue tubes contain sodium citrate and are used primarily for coagulation studies, again focusing on plasma rather than the serum derived from clotted blood. Yellow tubes may contain additives like ACD or SPS for blood cultures and other specific tests, but are not used for standard serum tests. Therefore, the choice of the red tube for serum tests is fitting and reflects its intended purpose in laboratory practice.