Which blood test panel is typically drawn in a tube containing sodium heparin?

The blood test panel typically drawn in a tube containing sodium heparin is the chemistry panel. Sodium heparin acts as an anticoagulant, preventing the blood from clotting and allowing for the analysis of various substances in the serum.

In a chemistry panel, tests are conducted to measure components such as electrolytes, glucose, and liver enzymes, which require the blood to remain in a liquid form. The use of an anticoagulant like sodium heparin is crucial in these tests, as it ensures accurate results by preventing clot formation, which can interfere with the analyses.

While other panels, like a cardiac panel or lipid panel, may also be part of chemistry testing, they are more commonly associated with specific types of serum tubes, often using gel separators or other anticoagulants. A hematology panel typically uses EDTA as an anticoagulant, which helps preserve blood cell morphology and is not compatible with heparin. Therefore, the chemistry panel is definitively drawn in sodium heparin tubes to facilitate accurate biochemical assessments.