What is the significance of the light blue tube in blood collection?

The light blue tube is specifically designed for coagulation studies, which is why the significance of this tube lies in its additive that facilitates these tests. Typically, the light blue tube contains sodium citrate as an anticoagulant, which helps to preserve the blood's ability to clot for the duration of the testing process. This property makes it essential for accurate results in tests such as Prothrombin Time (PT) and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT), which are critical for assessing the coagulation pathways and diagnosing bleeding disorders.

In contrast, other tubes serve different purposes: serum collection typically involves a red or gold tube, glucose testing is often performed using a grey tube that contains sodium fluoride, and hematological tests are generally carried out using a lavender tube that contains EDTA as an anticoagulant. Therefore, the light blue tube's unique integration of an additive specific to coagulation studies underlies its significance in blood collection protocols.