Diagnostic Techcniques Flashcards
how many percent of decisions are based on laboratory medicine?
35%
lecturer says if asked on a test, say 70%, but the slide says 35%
clinical biochemistry
study of chances in chemical composition of bodily fluids in the diagnosis and monitoring of disease processes.
haematology
study of blood cells
histopathology/cytopathology
study of dead tissue cells or ones with disease
Reasons for lab tests
- screening
- detection of sub-clinical disease
- diagnosis
- confirmation or rejection of previously made clinical diagnosis
- monitoring
- response treatment
- prognosis - predicting the development of disease
- predictions - predicting the outcome with intervention.
how to monitor infection?
measure CRP conc in blood
- CRP (C-reactive protein) is a protein released by liver during infection.
how to monitor HIV?
measuring CD4 levels and viral load.
required info in lab?
- patient’s full name
- patient’s CHI number
- patient’s date of birth
- where the sample came from
- relevant clinical history
- what they want to find
define POCT
point of care testing:
- run by non lab healthcare professional
pros:
- quick
- less clinically invasive and less sample volume needed.
- out patient settings
- less clinical appointments for adjustments of medications
cons:
- expensive
- unreliable results
examples of POCT
- blood gases (O2 levels)
- urine dip stixs
- urine analysis
- blood glucose
what dies high levels of ALT indicate?
liver damage
what does high levels of GGT indicate?
cardiovascular disease
why is paracetamol toxic to the liver?
because metabolite of paracetamol, NAPPQI, causes toxicity by using up the reserve of antioxidant glutathione.
treatment involves using N-acetyle cysteine (NAC) which is a precursor of glutathione.
you will start treatment around 16 hrs after overdose.
precautions with POCT
- hands and clean?
- have they eaten anything before hand?
what does raised amylase levels indicate?
inflammation of the pancreas, usually related to alcohol rather than infections. Another likely cause is gallstones coming out of the gallbladder and blocking the duct where bile is dumped into the intestine.
