What color tube is typically used for blood cultures?

The yellow top tube is typically used for blood cultures because it contains a nutrient-rich broth that supports the growth of microorganisms. This type of tube is designed to promote the growth of bacteria and fungi, which is essential when testing for infections in a patient's bloodstream. The additive in the yellow top tube, usually sodium polyanetholsulfonate (SPS), is specifically formulated to inhibit the activity of certain antibiotics, allowing for accurate culture results.

In the context of the other types of tubes, red top tubes are often used for serum collection and do not contain any additives that promote growth for cultures. Gold top tubes generally contain a gel separator and are used for serum tests but are also not suitable for blood cultures. Light blue top tubes are primarily used for coagulation studies and contain sodium citrate, which is not appropriate for cultures. Therefore, the selection of the yellow top tube for blood cultures is critical for ensuring accurate and reliable results in microbiological testing.