Clinical Indications And Routine Tests

Question 1

Why undertake venepuncture

Answer 1

To investigate diagnose and subsequently treat

To monitor therapeutic levels

Question 2

Reasons for cannulation

Answer 2

Administration of IV fluids
IV meds
Chemo
Administration of radiological contrasts agents for CT or MRI
Blood and blood products
TPN

Question 3

Routine blood tests- FBC

Answer 3

Platelets
Heamotocrit(% or RBC in the whole blood)
Heamoglobin
RBC
Mean cell volume (size of RBC)
White blood cells
Neutrophils (raised in bacterial conditions and auto immune disorders
Lymphocytes (antibodies so raised during viral infection
Monocytes (macrophages so indicate bacterial infection)
Basophils (allergic reactions)
Eosinophils (allergic reactions)
Blast/Atypical (dysfunctional white cells which are incorrectly made, sign of leukaemia)

Question 4

Routine blood tests- Urea and Electrolytes

Answer 4

Sodium (raised in dehydration)
Potassium (raised K indicates impending cardiac event)
Urea (raised urea = renal dysfunction)
Serum creatinine( changes indicate kidney dysfunction)
Estimated glomerular filtration ( can be used to diagnose chronic kidney disease) anything more than 90 for glomerular F is normal

Question 5

Routine blood tests- Liver function tests (LFTs)

Answer 5

Alanine aminotransferase- live enzyme raised in drug toxicity, trauma, viral hepatitis

Aspartate aminotransferase- liver failure

Gamma glutamyl- raised in alcohol, analgesics and opioid intake

Alkaline phosphate- raised in damage to biliary tree e.g. gallstones

Amylase -increase in pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer

Bilirubin

Albumin- decreased in liver damage

Globulin- increased in autoimmune and viral infections

Question 6

Alkaline

Question 7

What is CRP

Answer 7

Encourages WBC production post inflammation