According to the order of draw, which tube should a medical assistant draw after obtaining blood cultures?

When determining the order of draw for blood collection, it's crucial to follow standardized procedures to prevent contamination of samples and ensure accurate test results. Blood cultures are typically collected first because they are used to detect the presence of microorganisms in the bloodstream, and any contamination from other tubes could compromise the results.

After collecting blood cultures, the next tube that a medical assistant should draw is the light blue tube. This tube contains sodium citrate, an anticoagulant that is commonly used for coagulation studies. Drawing the light blue tube after blood cultures is essential because the sodium citrate can influence test results if the sample were to be contaminated by additives from other tubes. By adhering to this order, the medical assistant helps maintain the integrity of the specimens needed for accurate laboratory analysis.

Choosing the wrong tube directly after blood cultures could result in inaccurate lab results, which could affect patient care. The light blue tube is therefore the correct choice to ensure proper coagulation testing and minimal risk of interference from other additives used in different collection tubes.