What components are found in a gold or tiger top tube?

A gold or tiger top tube contains a clot activator and serum separator gel, making this choice the correct answer. These tubes are specifically designed for serum tests, and the inclusion of the clot activator facilitates the clotting process, allowing for the separation of serum once the sample has been centrifuged. The serum separator gel plays a critical role by creating a physical barrier between the serum and the cellular components of the blood after centrifugation, which prevents contamination of the serum specimen.

Understanding the components is key in phlebotomy, as it helps ensure the accuracy of laboratory tests. The choice of tube is crucial for specific tests, as some require the serum to be separated from the cells immediately to maintain the integrity of the sample. Therefore, using a gold or tiger top tube is essential when performing tests that depend on serum analysis.

Other options mention components not found in gold or tiger top tubes, such as sodium citrate and EDTA, which are anticoagulants typically used in different tube types for specific blood tests. Statements regarding only serum separator gel are also misleading, as the gel alone does not activate clot formation, which is necessary for the tube's intended purpose.