Common Laboratory Tests

Question 1

ABGs: Why are Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs) collected?

Answer 1

To evaluate acid-base stauts (pH) ventilation (PaCO2) and oxygenation of artieral blood (PaO2)

Question 2

ABGs: Which ABGs provide info about how well the lungs are functioning to oxygenate the blood?

Answer 2

The partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2) and the percent oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (SaO2)

Question 3

ABGs: Which information says how well the lungs are able to remove carbon dioxide?

Answer 3

The partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood (PaCO2)

Question 4

ABGs: What DIRECTLY affects the balance of pH in the body?

Answer 4

Changes in PaCO2

Question 5

ABGs: What is an important component of the chemical buffering that keeps the blood from becoming too acidic or basic?

Answer 5

Bicarbonate (HCO3-)

Question 6

Cardiac Biomarkers: what are they?

Answer 6

cardiac enxyme studies measure levels of creatine phosphokinase (CK) and the protein troponin in the blood

Question 7

Cardiac Biomarkers: What is a relatively specific test for myocardial infarction?

Answer 7

CK-MB

Question 8

Cardiac Biomarkers: CKMB appears in the blood for approx __(1)__, peaks at __(2)__ and declines over __(3)__.

Answer 8

1) 4 hours after infarction
2) 12-24 hours
3) 48-72 hours

Question 9

Cardiac Biomarkers: __(1)__ is also a specific marker for infarction and unlike CK-MB levels, it remains elevated for 5-7 days

Answer 9

1) Cardiac troponin-1

Question 10

Cholesterol Test: This is also called a _____. What does it measure? __(2)__ and what does it determine? __(3)__

Answer 10

1) lipid panel
2) amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood
3) determines the risk of athlerosclerosis

Question 11

Cholesterol Test: A complete lipid profile includes measurement of what types of lipid in the blood?

Answer 11

1) total cholesterol
2) HDL - high density lipoprotein
3) LDL - Low Density Lipoprotein
4) triglycerides

Question 12

Cholesterol Test: What are triglycerides?

Answer 12

They are places the body puts converted calories that it does not need right away. they are stored in adipose tissue.

Question 13

Cholesterol Test: Where are high triglycerides mostly seen?

Answer 13

1) overweight people
2) those consuming too much sweets or alcohol
3) people with diabetes who have elevated blood sugar levels

Question 14

What is a CBC and what does it include?

Answer 14

Complete Blood Count

1) red blood cell count
2) total white blood cell count
3) white blood cell differential
4) platelets
5) hemoglobin
6) hematocrit

Question 15

Complete Blood Count (CBC): What is hematocrit (HCT)?

Answer 15

the percentage of red blood cells in total blood volume

Question 16

Complete Blood Count (CBC): What does a low hematocrit indicate?

Answer 16

anemia, blood loss, vitamin or minerl deficiencies

Question 17

Complete Blood Count (CBC): What does a high hematocrit indicate?

Answer 17

May indicate dehydration or polycythemia vera (a condition that causes overproduction of red blood cells)

Question 18

What is PTT and PT (in relation to clotting)

Answer 18

Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT) and Prothrombin Time (PT)

Question 19

What are Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT) and Prothrombin Time (PT) used for?

Answer 19

They are tests that measure how quickly the blood clots. they commonly used to monitor oral anticoagulant therapy or to SCREEN FOR SELECTED BLEEDING DISORDERS.

Question 20

Is the PTT or PT more sensitive at detecting minor deficiencies?

Answer 20

The Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT)