14 - Interpretation of Lab Results Flashcards
1
Q
Sensitivity
A
- A sensitive test is able to pick up affected persons
- Used to rule out diagnoses (used at an early stage of a diagnosis work-up)
- A sensitive test is most useful when negative (Interpretation according to the prevalence, Use of the negative predictive value)
2
Q
Sensitive test example
A
Example: D-dimer
- Want it to be negative
- If it is negative, good, moving on
- If it is positive, need more testing
3
Q
Specificity
A
- A specific test is able to pick up non-affected persons
- Used to rule in diagnoses
- Used to confirm a diagnosis suspected because of other data
- A sensitive test is most useful when positive
- Interpretation according to the prevalence
- Use of the positive predictive value
4
Q
Specific test example
A
- Want it to be positive
- If it is negative, need a lot more testing
- If it is positive, you have a diagnosis
5
Q
In order to RULE IN a diagnosis…
A
Use a specific test
Be careful before concluding if
- The disease is unlikely
- The test is not specific
6
Q
In order to RULE OUT a diagnosis…
A
Use a sensitive test
Be careful before concluding if:
- The disease is common
- The test is not sensitive
7
Q
Complete blood count
A
- Red blood cells (RBCs)
- Hemoglobin (Hgb)
- Hematocrit (Hct)
- Platelets
- White blood cells (WBCs)
8
Q
CBC includes…
A
RBC Hgb Hct Platelets WBC
9
Q
RBC indices…
A
MCV
MCH
MCHC
RDW
10
Q
WBC differential
A
Bands Neutrophils Eosinophils Basophils Lymphocytes Monocytes
11
Q
Hemoglobin
A
- The amount of hemoglobin present in the blood
- Men: 13-18
- Women 12-18
- Higher in smokers
- Lower in anemic, blood loss, overhydration
12
Q
Hematocrit
A
- Percent of RBCs in the plasma
- Men: 37-49%
- Women: 36-46%
- High in dehydration, olycythemia
- Low in overhydration, anemia, blood loss
Look at recording
13
Q
WBC
A
- Number of white blood cells per cubic millimeter of blood
- 4500-11000
- High in infection, leukemia, steroid use
- Low in viral infection, immunodeficiency
14
Q
RBC
A
- Number of RBCs per cubic mm of blood
- Men: 4.5-5.3
- Women: 4.1-5.1
- High in polycytheia, high altitude
- Low in bone marrow suppression, loss of erythrocytes
15
Q
MCV
A
- Mean corpuscular volume (size of RBC)
- Men: 78-100
- Women 78-102
- High in folic acid deficiency, B12 deficiency, alcoholism
- Low in iron deficiency anemia, lead poisoning
16
Q
MCH
A
- Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (amount of hemoglobin present in one cell)
- 24-35
- High in folic acid deficiency, B12 deficiency
- Low in iron deficiency anemia, thalassemia
17
Q
MCHC
A
- Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (the proportion of each cell occupied by hemoglobin)
- 31-37%
- High in folic acid deficiency, B12 deficiency
- Low in iron deficiency anemia, thalessemias
18
Q
RDW
A
- Red blood cell distribution width (calculated fromteh MCV and RBC)
- 11.5-14%
- High in iron deficiency, thalassemia minor
19
Q
Bands
A
“Left shift”
- Percent of young/immature neutrophils
- Normal is 0-5%
- High in bacterial infection, severe stress
- Low in typhoid, tularemia, brucellosis, cancer, bone marrow depression
20
Q
PMNs
A
- Percent of segmented or immature neutrophils
- 45-70% normal
- High in bacterial infection, severe stress
- Low in typhoid, tularemia, brucellosis, cancer, bone marrow depression
21
Q
Eosinophils
A
- Percent of eosinophils present
- 0-8% normal
- High in allergies, parasites
- Low in corticosteroid therapy
22
Q
Basophils
A
- Percent of basophils present
- 0-3% normal
- High in leukemia, not well understood
- Low in corticosteroid therapy
23
Q
Lymphocytes
A
- Percent of lymphocytes present
- 16-46% normal
- High in viral infection, leukemia
- Low in AIDS, autoimmune disease
24
Q
Monocytes
A
- Percent of monocytes present
- 4-11% normal
- High in tuberculosis, protozoa infection, leukemia
25
Q
Peripheral blood smear
A
- A drop of blood is spread (smeared) on a slide and stained with a special dye and looked at under a microscope
- The number, size, and shape of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are recorded
- Used to diagnose leukemia, malaria, SCD and others