What color tube is used to collect a White Blood Cell Differential?

The lavender tube is the correct choice for collecting a White Blood Cell Differential. This tube contains EDTA, an anticoagulant that helps preserve the morphology of the blood cells. Proper preservation is crucial for accurate differential counts, which assess the various types of white blood cells present in a blood sample. The use of EDTA prevents clotting, allowing for clear analysis of individual cell types by microscopic examination.

Other tube colors mentioned serve different purposes; for example, blood culture tubes are used primarily for detecting microorganisms. The red tube is typically used for serum tests, where clotting is required, and the green tube contains heparin, which is often used for tests that require whole blood or plasma, but not specifically for a differential count. Thus, the lavender tube is uniquely suited for performing a White Blood Cell Differential test due to its anticoagulant properties and compatibility with analytical techniques used in hematology.