What is the correct action if a tube has a cracked or broken stopper?

When dealing with a tube that has a cracked or broken stopper, the correct action is to discard it and use a new one. The integrity of the tube is vital for ensuring that the blood sample remains uncontaminated and that the vacuum necessary for proper blood draw is maintained. A compromised stopper can lead to various issues, including contamination of the sample, exposure to air, and inaccurate test results due to either loss of vacuum or contamination from the environment.

In contrast, using a tube with a compromised stopper, sealing it with tape, or filling it only partially can introduce risks that jeopardize both the quality of the sample and the accuracy of subsequent laboratory results. Thus, using a new tube is the best practice to ensure that the sample collected is reliable and valid for testing.