What is the additive in pink top tubes?

The correct response identifies potassium EDTA as the additive in pink top tubes. Pink top tubes are specifically designed for blood bank tests and crossmatching, and potassium EDTA serves as an anticoagulant that prevents blood from clotting. By chelating calcium ions in the blood, potassium EDTA maintains the integrity of blood samples for testing purposes related to immunohematology, which is critical in blood transfusions and compatibility testing. Understanding the function of this additive is essential for phlebotomy technicians who must ensure the proper handling and processing of samples for accurate laboratory results.

Other potential additives, such as sodium fluoride, EDTA in its other forms, and citrate, serve different functions or are associated with different types of blood collection tubes. Sodium fluoride is typically used in gray top tubes for glucose preservation, while EDTA in its other forms might be used in lavender top tubes for hematology. Citrate is found in light blue top tubes and is mainly used for coagulation studies. Recognizing the particularities of these additives and their respective tubes is key for laboratory professionals handling blood specimens.