Diagnostic tools for primary care

Question 1

Diagnostic tools available in primary care to diagnose infection?

Answer 1

Basic observations
- Temperature
- Checking your heart rate
- Blood pressure
- Breathing rate
- Oxygen saturation using a pulse oximeter.

Blood tests: FBC, ESR, C-reactive protein, liver function test

Urine tests:
- mid stream urine sample
- catheter specimen of urine
- urinalysis- can test for ketones, specific gravity, glucose, proteins

Cultures & staining

Question 2

How does FBC work? Result?

Answer 2

Involves examining the numbers & types of cells in the blood which are red blood cells, platelets & white blood cells (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils).

High WBCs levels = infection.

Haemoglobin (Hb) levels are high or low - e.g. if a patient’s Hb levels are low = anaemia.

Size of erythrocytes - e.g. if its large then it could be associated with liver disease.

Platelets - used to determine whether the patient has a clotting disorder.

Question 3

What is C-reactive protein? Results?

Answer 3

An acute phase protein produced by the liver, which increases up to 1000-fold at sites of infection due to inflammation.

Its function is binding to the Fc receptors of monocytes and neutrophils to stimulate production of cytokines.
- essential in regulating the inflammation.

A high level of CRP present in blood is a marker of inflammation.

A normal CRP is 10 mg/L
- A high CRP is equal to or more than 10mg/L.

Can be caused by a range of conditions from an infection to cancer.

Question 4

Function of ESR? Results?

Answer 4

• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
• determines how quickly the erythrocytes will fall towards the end of the test tube.
• Not a diagnostic test for particular disease- increases in CRP & ESR can both been seen together.
• A higher ESR = increased likelihood of an inflammation.
• can be used to help diagnose conditions associated w/ inflammation such as arthritis or endocarditis

Question 5

What is Urea + Electrolytes?

Answer 5

Checks kidney health

Na+
k+
Ca2+
Mg2+
Chloride
Phosphate
Urea

Question 6

What is liver function test?

Answer 6

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
Bilirubin
GGT
Albumin