Which color would you expect for the 2nd draw?

• A. Light Blue
• B. Lavender or pink
• C. Royal Blue
• D. Gold

Answer: (A)

This question tests the order of draw and the color coding of tubes used in venipuncture. After collecting any initial samples, the next tube is the light blue top, which contains sodium citrate anticoagulant for coagulation studies (such as PT, aPTT, INR). The citrate tube must be filled to the correct blood-to-anticoagulant ratio (about 9:1) to ensure accurate results, so this specific tube is designated to come second in the sequence. The other colors correspond to different tests and additives (for example, gold for serum with clot activator, lavender for EDTA, royal blue for trace elements), so they aren’t used as the second draw. Therefore, the expected second draw is the light blue tube.