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Don’t you just love it when they roll a stainless tray over to your elbow and there are six different test tubes on it? Well, if you look closely next time, you’ll find that each one has a different color of cap. The tubes are designed for different blood tests. Some have anticoagulant agents inside the tube so the blood doesn’t clot. Others have special preservatives. Some tubes get put in a centrifuge so that the blood can be “spun” to separate the plasma from the blood cells. Some are kept at room temperature, some are chilled, some are frozen.
If your doctor's ordered a battery of tests on you, you can end up needing to fill quite a few tubes. For those of you who have never had a blood draw before, don’t freak out. Usually, numerous tubes can be filled with a single needle “poke.” A special holder, often attached to a “butterfly” needle, can be used to fill many tubes from a single needle stick. The venipuncture sometimes hurts at the moment it takes place, but once the needle is in the arm, most people don’t feel any discomfort.
If your doctor's ordered a battery of tests on you, you can end up needing to fill quite a few tubes. For those of you who have never had a blood draw before, don’t freak out. Usually, numerous tubes can be filled with a single needle “poke.” A special holder, often attached to a “butterfly” needle, can be used to fill many tubes from a single needle stick. The venipuncture sometimes hurts at the moment it takes place, but once the needle is in the arm, most people don’t feel any discomfort.
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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.