What is the importance of inverting the colored top tubes after drawing blood?
Colored top tube contains additives like anticoagulants and preservatives (EDTA, Lithium heparin, potassium oxalate, sodium fluoride). These additives are added in the tube to prevent blood from clotting and preserve glucose( to do certain laboratory test where plasma, whole blood is required )
To enusre adequate mixing of blood with additives, tube has to invert gently 8-10 times immediately after drawing the blood. The vigorous shaking of tube may cause hemolysis.
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