What is the correct order of draw for venipuncture?

The correct order of draw for venipuncture is essential to prevent cross-contamination of additives between different tubes, which can affect test results. The order generally starts with tubes that have no additives, followed by those with additives that could interfere with certain tests.

In the correct sequence, starting with tubes that contain a clot activator or no additive is crucial, typically leading to tubes with anticoagulants. For the mentioned option, starting with green, followed by lavender, and then gray generally adheres to the guidelines that prioritize the type of additives specific to each tube to maintain the integrity of the samples being collected.

The green tube often contains heparin and is used for plasma determinations, followed by the lavender tube with EDTA, which is excellent for hematology tests. Finally, the gray tube typically contains sodium fluoride and is used for glucose testing, ensuring that the additives serve their intended purpose without contamination affecting the results.

This understanding underscores the importance of following the appropriate order of draw to preserve the reliability of laboratory results, which is a cornerstone of quality patient care and accurate diagnostics.