CH 26 Key Terms - Intro to Medical Lab Flashcards
baseline values
baseline - known or initial measurement against which future measurements are compared; also, flat, horizontal line that separates the various waves of the ECG cycle.
biopsy
removal of a small piece of living tissue from an organ or other part of the body for microscopic examination to confirm or establish a diagnosis.
clinical diagnosis
identification of a disease by history, lab studies, and symptoms.
control test
test of a sample with known results used to cmpare with the results of a patient’s sample.
cytology
scientific study of cells
differential diagnosis
diagnosis based on comparison of symptoms of similar diseases
DNA
deoxyribonucleic acid; important nuclear material that carries genetic code.
hematology
study of blood and blood forming tissues
histology
study of a tissue biopsy sample for the determination of disease.
immunology
study of the components of the immune system and their function
microbiology
branch of biology dealing with the study of microscopic forms of life
mycology
study of fungi
ova and parasite (O & P)
stool sample sent to laboratory to determine if a parasite or it’s eggs can be visualized.
panel
series of tests related to a particular organ or organ system of body function. IE: liver panel would check many different functions of the liver. Previously known as a profile.
parasitology
study of organisms (parasites and their eggs) that live within or on another organism and at the expense of that organism
patient service centers
satellite laboratory facilities located in conveneient areas for patients where specimens can be collected or dropped off.
peak
opposite of trough. Point at which a drug is at it’s highest level in the body, usually about 18 minutes after administration. In lab tests, the peak would tell the provider the strongest influence the drug would have on the body at that particular dose.
physician’s office laboratory (POL)
laboratory within a physician’s office where common office lab tests are performed.
point-of-care testing (POCT)
AKA near-patient testing or bedside testing, as it brings the portable laboratory services directly to where the patient is located, wherever that may be.
qualitative tests
analyses to identify quality or characteristics of components, such as size, shape, and maturity of cells.
quantitative tests
analyses that can identify quantity or actual number counts such as counting the number of blood cells
reagents
chemical substance that detects or synthesizes other substances in a chemical reaction; used in laboratory analyses because it is known to react in a specific way.
reference laboratories
independent, regionally located laboratories used by hospitals for complex, expensive, or specialized tests.
reference ranges
AKA normal value, normal range, or reference value; range of values that includes 95% of test results for a normal healthy population.
requisition
request form sent with a specimen specifying tests to be performed on the specimen; most common tests are separated into logical categories with additional space for writing special requests.
therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM)
periodic blood tests to determine the effectiveness of a particular drug. Drugs will have a therapeutic level that must be attained in order for the drug to be therapeutic or effective. If the blood level of the drug is below the range of therapeutic effectiveness, the provider will probably increase the dosage. Likewise, if the drug is above the therapeutic range, the provider will likely lower dosage.
toxicology
tests for toxic substances in blood and monitors drug usage, therapeutic levels of medication, or toxicity of drugs being used.
trough
the opposite of peak, the point at which the drug is at it’s lowest level in the body. Usu occurs just before next dose is administered. Trough tells physician the weakest influence the drug would have on the body at that particular dose.
virology
study of viruses.
