Which tube cap color is typically used for blood chemistry tests?

The color of the tube cap that is typically used for blood chemistry tests is gold or tiger top. These tubes are commonly used for serum tests because they contain a gel separator. This gel facilitates the separation of serum from the blood cells after centrifugation, making it ideal for various chemistry analyses. The presence of a clot activator in these tubes speeds up the clotting process, ensuring that serum is available for testing shortly after collection.

In clinical practice, these tubes are often utilized for a wide range of chemistry panels, including metabolic panels, liver function tests, and electrolyte studies. This is critical for obtaining accurate results in biochemical analyses, as serum is a vital component needed for many tests in the chemistry department.

Other tube colors listed typically serve different functions. Gray tubes are used for glucose testing and lactate measurements, light blue tubes are intended for coagulation tests, and lavender tubes are used for hematology and blood counts. Each of these tube types serves specific purposes, and thus the choice of tube is fundamental in ensuring the appropriate analysis is performed.