Which tubes are commonly used for drawing CRP?

The correct choice is associated with the collection of samples specifically for C-reactive protein (CRP) testing. Lavender or SST (serum separator tube) is commonly utilized because they contain additives that help in the stabilization of the sample and facilitate the separation of serum, which is essential for accurate laboratory analysis.

Lavender tubes generally contain EDTA as an anticoagulant, which is suitable for certain types of hematological tests but may not be the first choice for CRP. However, the serum separator tube, often used in various biochemical analyses, provides a gel separator that helps in obtaining serum specimens, which is ideal for CRP measurements.

In contrast, other tube choices may not provide the required conditions for optimal CRP analysis. For instance, green and red tubes may not specifically support the accurate measurement of CRP due to differing anticoagulants or lack of a separator. Gray and yellow tubes may likewise fall short for this test, with gray used for glucose testing, and yellow typically used for blood cultures or certain serological tests. Light blue and orange tubes are generally designated for coagulation tests or urgent serum analysis, which would not align with the requirements for CRP testing.

Thus, lavender or SST is the preferred choice for CR