Basic Principles Of Lab And Diagnostic Studies Flashcards
Does diagnostic and laboratory tests replace an H&P
No
What are some things to keep in mind with diagnostics and lab test
- They must be performed accurately and in a timely manner
*tests should not have to be repeated due to improper patient preparation - Must be able to interpret and develop an effective treatment plan from results
What is the most important factor when ordering a lab test
Patient education
What are the risks of lab and diagnostic tests
- Morbidity and mortality
- Patient discomfort associated with tests
What can a false positive lead to
An incorrect diagnosis or further unnecessary testing
What are the standard precautions
Mandated to help protect health care workers from contracting illnesses from specimens they handle, patients they care for and environment in which they work in
What should you assume about every patient you see
That they are potentially infectious
How should tests be scheduled
In the most efficient sequential manner
*try to order at the same time for patient scheduling and convenience
What is vital to success of a lab test
Patient preparation
*also document any ongoing factors that could interfere with the tests results
What are the dietary restriction for lab/diagnostic test
Generally 8-12 hours
*to avoid aspiration when sedatives are adminsitered
How to identify the patient (pre-test patient procedure)
Conscious: state full name and DOB
*then verify with ID band
Unconscious: verify with ID band/family/friends
How to educate the patient (Pre-test patient patient procedures)
- Rationale for test
- Written instructions
- Any meds to discontinue
- Need for a driver
What can affects tests results
- Age
- Gender
- Race
- Preg
- Food ingestion
- Posture
How does age affect test results
Pediatric values differ from adult
How does gender affect test results
- Related to Increased muscle mass in men and differences in hormonal secretion
*men have higher cholesterol than women
What is elevated in newborns
- Serum bilirubin
- Growth hormone
How does race affect test results
- Little effect on lab values
- Greater effect on genetic disease
How does pregnancy affect test results
- Endocrine, Hematologic, and biochemical changes associated with preg
*higher levels of lipids
*lower hemoglobin and hematocrit
*slight elevation in WBC
How does food ingestion affect test results
- Glucose and triglycerides rise after meals
How does posture affect test results
- Changes in body position affects concentration in the peripheral blood
How to label after collection
Name, site, additional info
*(pap, cervical, location, culture site)
What is the privacy rule
- Gives patients the right to examine and obtain a copy of their own health records and to request corrections
What is a false positive
An individual who is incorrectly diagnosed as having a disease
What is a false negative
An individual who is incorrectly diagnosed as not having disease
What is negative predictive value
The percent of negative tests that are truly negative
What is positive predictive value
The present of positive tests that are truly positive
What is sensitivity
The likelihood a diseased patient has a positive test. Tests with high sensitivity are used to screen for disease
*snOUT (- test helps rules out disease)
What is specificity
The likelihood a healthy patient has a negative test. Tests with high specificity are used to confirm a diagnosis
*spIN (+ helps rule in a disease)
Prevalence
The frequency of patients with a certain disease in the group being tested with the measurement
What is a screening test
Preventative or early diagnostic measure
What is a diagnostic test
- Any test that will help aid in the diagnosis or detection disease
- Confirms suspected diagnosis in symptomatic patients
- Eliminates the presence of disease
How can lab values be
- Qualitative (+ or -)
- Quantitative (actual #)
What does WNL mean
Within normal limits
*dont use
*always document a value
*always compare and document previous labs to show stability or change
What are quantitive tests?
Results is a numeric value
What is a qualitative tests
Positive or negative
If you get an abnormal test result what should you do
Order a repeat test to confirm abnormal lab result
What does STAT mean
Short turn around time
*emergency
*need an immediate lab analysis
If you see a critical lab value what does that mean?
- Require immediate intervention by the health care provider
*life-threatening
What is accuracy
- When a result is as close as possible to the true value
*Re-check the expiration dates on collection swabs
