Basic Principles Of Lab And Diagnostic Studies

Question 1

Does diagnostic and laboratory tests replace an H&P

Answer 1

No

Question 2

What are some things to keep in mind with diagnostics and lab test

Answer 2

1. They must be performed accurately and in a timely manner
   *tests should not have to be repeated due to improper patient preparation
2. Must be able to interpret and develop an effective treatment plan from results

Question 3

What is the most important factor when ordering a lab test

Answer 3

Patient education

Question 4

What are the risks of lab and diagnostic tests

Answer 4

1. Morbidity and mortality
2. Patient discomfort associated with tests

Question 5

What can a false positive lead to

Answer 5

An incorrect diagnosis or further unnecessary testing

Question 6

What are the standard precautions

Answer 6

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

Question 7

What should you assume about every patient you see

Answer 7

That they are potentially infectious

Question 8

How should tests be scheduled

Answer 8

In the most efficient sequential manner
*try to order at the same time for patient scheduling and convenience

Question 9

What is vital to success of a lab test

Answer 9

Patient preparation
*also document any ongoing factors that could interfere with the tests results

Question 10

What are the dietary restriction for lab/diagnostic test

Answer 10

Generally 8-12 hours
*to avoid aspiration when sedatives are adminsitered

Question 11

How to identify the patient (pre-test patient procedure)

Answer 11

Conscious: state full name and DOB
*then verify with ID band
Unconscious: verify with ID band/family/friends

Question 12

How to educate the patient (Pre-test patient patient procedures)

Answer 12

1. Rationale for test
2. Written instructions
3. Any meds to discontinue
4. Need for a driver

Question 13

What can affects tests results

Answer 13

1. Age
2. Gender
3. Race
4. Preg
5. Food ingestion
6. Posture

Question 14

How does age affect test results

Answer 14

Pediatric values differ from adult

Question 15

How does gender affect test results

Answer 15

1. Related to Increased muscle mass in men and differences in hormonal secretion
   *men have higher cholesterol than women

Question 16

What is elevated in newborns

Answer 16

1. Serum bilirubin
2. Growth hormone

Question 17

How does race affect test results

Answer 17

1. Little effect on lab values
2. Greater effect on genetic disease

Question 18

How does pregnancy affect test results

Answer 18

1. Endocrine, Hematologic, and biochemical changes associated with preg
   *higher levels of lipids
   *lower hemoglobin and hematocrit
   *slight elevation in WBC

Question 19

How does food ingestion affect test results

Answer 19

1. Glucose and triglycerides rise after meals

Question 20

How does posture affect test results

Answer 20

1. Changes in body position affects concentration in the peripheral blood

Question 21

How to label after collection

Answer 21

Name, site, additional info
*(pap, cervical, location, culture site)

Question 22

What is the privacy rule

Answer 22

1. Gives patients the right to examine and obtain a copy of their own health records and to request corrections

Question 23

What is a false positive

Answer 23

An individual who is incorrectly diagnosed as having a disease

Question 24

What is a false negative

Answer 24

An individual who is incorrectly diagnosed as not having disease

Question 25

What is negative predictive value

Answer 25

The percent of negative tests that are truly negative

Question 26

What is positive predictive value

Answer 26

The present of positive tests that are truly positive

Question 27

What is sensitivity

Answer 27

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)

Question 28

What is specificity

Answer 28

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)

Question 29

Prevalence

Answer 29

The frequency of patients with a certain disease in the group being tested with the measurement

Question 30

What is a screening test

Answer 30

Preventative or early diagnostic measure

Question 31

What is a diagnostic test

Answer 31

1. Any test that will help aid in the diagnosis or detection disease
2. Confirms suspected diagnosis in symptomatic patients
3. Eliminates the presence of disease

Question 32

How can lab values be

Answer 32

1. Qualitative (+ or -)
2. Quantitative (actual #)

Question 33

What does WNL mean

Answer 33

Within normal limits
*dont use
*always document a value
*always compare and document previous labs to show stability or change

Question 34

What are quantitive tests?

Answer 34

Results is a numeric value

Question 35

What is a qualitative tests

Answer 35

Positive or negative

Question 36

If you get an abnormal test result what should you do

Answer 36

Order a repeat test to confirm abnormal lab result

Question 37

What does STAT mean

Answer 37

Short turn around time
*emergency
*need an immediate lab analysis

Question 38

If you see a critical lab value what does that mean?

Answer 38

1. Require immediate intervention by the health care provider
   *life-threatening

Question 39

What is accuracy

Answer 39

1. When a result is as close as possible to the true value
   *Re-check the expiration dates on collection swabs