Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) Practice Exam

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Which additive is in a gray stoppered blood tube?

EDTA
SPS
Sodium citrate
Sodium fluoride

The correct answer is: Sodium fluoride

The gray stoppered blood tube contains sodium fluoride as its additive. Sodium fluoride is primarily used for glucose preservation, which is critical in preventing glycolysis, the process where cells break down glucose and can lead to falsely low glucose levels in plasma or serum samples. This preservation is significant in laboratory settings, particularly when glucose testing is required after collection. The presence of sodium fluoride makes this tube optimal for tests that require accurate glucose levels, ensuring that any potential changes in the sample's composition due to cell metabolism are minimized. This specific functionality distinguishes it from other additives found in blood collection tubes.