Higher Education Health Task Cards

Task cards for the CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant) patient check-in process are essential tools that provide step-by-step guidance to ensure a smooth and efficient experience for both patients and medical staff.

6 stations included in this download.

Creating a study guide for the "order of draw" is crucial for anyone involved in the field of phlebotomy, as it ensures that cross-contamination of additives between different blood collection tubes is prevented. The order of draw refers to the sequence in which blood collection tubes should be filled during venipuncture, and adhering to this order is essential for obtaining accurate laboratory results. Here's a simplified guide to help you study and remember the order:

• Blood Culture Bottle or Yellow-Stoppered Tube: These are used first for microbiological specimens, such as blood cultures, requiring sterile handling. The yellow stopper indicates the presence of an additive that prevents blood clotting and stabilizes microbial growth.
• Light, Blue-Stoppered Tube: This tube contains sodium citrate, an anticoagulant, and is used primarily for coagulation studies. Filling this tube to its proper fill volume is crucial because it maintains the correct blood-to-anticoagulant ratio.
• Red-Stoppered Tube: This tube is often used for serology and chemistry tests. It may or may not contain a clot activator but lacks any anticoagulant properties. It's used for tests that require serum.
• Gold or Tiger Top Tube (SST): The Serum Separator Tube (SST) contains a gel separator and clot activator. After centrifugation, the gel creates a barrier between the serum and blood cells, making it ideal for chemistry tests requiring serum.
• Green-Stoppered Tube: This tube contains heparin (either sodium, lithium, or ammonium) as an anticoagulant. It's used for chemistry tests on plasma or whole blood.
• Lavender or Pink-Stoppered Tube: These tubes contain EDTA as an anticoagulant and are primarily used for hematology tests, such as CBC (complete blood count). The pink-stoppered tube is specifically used for blood bank testing.
• Gray-Stoppered Tube: This tube contains potassium oxalate as an anticoagulant and sodium fluoride as a glycolysis inhibitor, making it ideal for glucose (blood sugar) and alcohol levels testing.

Remembering the order can be facilitated by mnemonic devices or associations, and frequent practice in drawing blood will help reinforce this knowledge. Always ensure to invert tubes gently after drawing to mix the blood with the additives, and never forget the importance of proper identification and handling of specimens to prevent pre-analytical errors.