Which blood collection tube is utilized to obtain a plasma sample?

The green top tube is specifically designed for obtaining plasma samples due to its inclusion of heparin, an anticoagulant. This anticoagulant prevents blood from clotting, which allows for the collection of plasma once the sample is centrifuged. Plasma is the liquid component of blood that remains after the cells and clotting factors are removed, making it essential for various diagnostic tests.

Other tubes listed may have different purposes; for example, the red top tube typically does not contain anticoagulants and is used for serum collection. The blue top tube contains sodium citrate, which is used for coagulation studies but is less commonly used for routine plasma collection. The yellow top tube may contain either a gel separator or an anticoagulant but is generally more relevant for specific tests or sample preservation rather than routine plasma collection. Thus, the green top tube is the most appropriate choice for obtaining plasma samples.