CH. 10: Blood Diagnostic/Laboratory Terms

Question 1

bone marrow aspiration

Answer 1

procedure to obtain a sample of the liquid portion of the bone marrow, usu. from the ilium (upper hip bone) for study; used to diagnose leukemia, infections, some types of anemia, and other blood disorders.

Question 2

bone marrow biopsy

Answer 2

procedure to obtain a sample of the solid portion of bone marrow, usu. from the ilium for study; used to diagnose leukemia, infections, some types of anemia, and other blood disorders; may be performed at the same time as bone marrow aspiration.

Question 3

activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)

Answer 3

blood test that measures the ability of the blood to clot by assessing intrinsic blood factors; used to evaluate bleeding disorders such as hemophilia A and B and monitor some types of anticoagulation therapy such as heparin; frequently ordered in conjunction with prothrombin time (PT/INR).

Question 4

bleeding profile

Answer 4

series of tests that measure the ability of various factors in the blood to form a clot; usu. includes PT/INR, aPTT, thrombin time, and tests for platelets & fibrinogen.

Question 5

complete blood count w/ differential (CBC w/ diff)

Answer 5

laboratory test for basic blood screening that measures various aspects of erythrocytes, leukocytes, and thrombocytes (platelets); this automated test quickly provides a tremendous amount of info about the blood.

Question 6

hematocrit (Hct)

Answer 6

percentage of a blood sample that is composed of erythrocytes; used in the diagnosis and evaluation of anemic patients.

Question 7

hemoglobin (Hgb)

Answer 7

blood test that measures the amount of hemoglobin (the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen) in the blood.

Question 8

prothrombin time (PT/INR)

Answer 8

blood test that measures the ability of the blood to clot by assessing extrinsic blood factors; used to evaluate bleeding disorders such as those caused by liver disease or vitamin K deficiency, or to monitor anticoagulation therapy such as warfarin; frequently ordered in conjunction with activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT).

Question 9

bone marrow transplant (BMT)

Answer 9

infusion of healthy bone marrow cells from a matched donor into a patient with severely diseased or damaged bone marrow; the donor cells may establish a colony of new, healthy tissue in the recipient’s bone marrow.

Question 10

peripheral blood stem cell transplant (PBSCT)

Answer 10

infusion of blood-forming cells (stem cells) to replace blood cells damaged by disease or treatments, such as chemotherapy; stem cells are collected by apheresis, a process in which blood is removed from the patient or a matched donor and spun through a machine to harvest stem cells.

Question 11

infusion

Answer 11

the introduction of fluid into the bloodstream through a vein.

Question 12

perfusionist

Answer 12

person who operates the heart-lung machine during surgeries where the patient’s blood must be oxygenated outside of the body; perfusionists monitor and are responsible for the circulatory and respiratory function of the patient during cardiothoracic surgery.

Question 13

phlebotomist

Answer 13

person who performs venipuncture for the purpose of drawing blood or injecting IV fluids.

Question 14

anticoagulant

Answer 14

agent that slows the blood clotting process

Question 15

blood dyscrasia

Answer 15

any abnormal or pathologic condition of the blood

Question 16

extravasation

Answer 16

escape of blood or other fluid from a vessel into the tissue

Question 17

venipuncture

Answer 17

procedure used to puncture a vein with a needle to remove blood, instill a medication, or start an intravenous infusion (also called phlebotomy).