Diagnostics Flashcards
What does a WBC differential tell you more about?
Inflammation and infection
In what instances would you want to know someone’s RBC count, Hb, and HCT?
Dehydration, anemia, hemorrhagic conditions
If someone was receiving dalteparin as prophylaxis of DVT which labs would you want to look at?
Platelets
What do neutrophils tell us?
Whether or not a bacterial infection is present
What do lymphocytes tell us?
Whether or not a viral infection is present
When would levels of basophils be increased or decreased in the blood?
Increased in leukaemia and decrease in allergic reactions
When would eosinophils be increased in the blood?
In allergic disorders or parasitic infections
When would monocyte levels be increased in the blood?
Severe infection signalling phagocytosis
What is another name for a band cell?
Neutrophil
What is the lifespan of RBCs
120 days
What does a decrease in HCT signify?
Possible decrease in RBC production or hemorrhage
What is polycythemia?
Increased RBC levels
When is polycythemia seen?
Dehydration, high altitude, COPD, and bone marrow disease
When is anemia seen?
Leukaemia, chronic inflammation, acute or chronic blood loss and inadequate RBC production
What are platelets essential for?
Clot formation and hemostasis
When would you monitor someone’s PTT?
When someone is on heparin
When would you monitor someone’s PT INR?
When on warfarin
When are increased levels of sodium seen?
Dehydration, excessive sweating, GI losses
When are decreased levels of sodium seen?
Congestive heart failure, Addison’s disease
When are increased levels of potassium seen?
Kidney failure
When are decreased potassium levels seen?
Diuretic use that do not spare potassium
When would Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) levels be increased?
Kidney failure, liver failure, and dehydration
When would creatinine be increased?
Kidney failure
What two types of diagnostics are there?
Laboratory tests and radiography
What is informed consent?
When the individual is fully aware of all aspects regarding a procedure
What three elements are necessary for informed consent?
Disclosure, capacity and voluntariness
What is sodium responsible for?
Acid-base balance, chemical reactions, transmembrane potential
Why is potassium important?
Transmembrane potential, acid-base balance, intracellular enzyme reactions
What affects GFR?
Age, gender, creatinine, weight
What does the BUN test for?
Kidney function
What do creatinine levels tell us?
Kidney function
What does the fecal occult blood test for?
Testing for blood because of benign or malignant growths, hemorrhoids, GI bleed etc
How does an XRay work?
Use electrons to illuminate dense areas
How does an ultrasound work?
Uses high frequency sound waves to get a real time image
How does a CT scan work?
Uses ionizing X-rays and contrast agents to highlight tissues, organs and blood vessels
What does routine &; microscopic urinalysis look at?
Protein, glucose, pH, specific gravity, bacteria
What is the significance of a culture & sensitivity?
Tells us what type of bacteria is growing and what antibiotic it is sensitive to
What do procalcitonin levels tell us?
It is a marker for infection and it can determine how severe the infection is
What is the significance of CRP?
It is a marker for inflammation, increased levels mean more severe inflammation
What is the “triad”?
HCT
Hgb
RBC
What is leukocytosis?
Increased WBC
What is leukopenia?
Decreased WBC
What is a shift to the left?
A high amount of young, immature WBCs commonly means there is infection/inflm and the bone marrow is making more WBC and releasing the before they are fully mature
When is the triad useful?
Only if hydration is normal
What does anemia look like?
Fatigue, pale, SOB, dizzy
What does the PTT tell us?
Actual or potential bleeding and response to anticoagulant therapy
What is the therapeutic range for heparin?
2x the normal
What is the therapeutic range for warfarin?
2.5x the normal
If your patient had nausea, vomiting and diarrhea for five days which labs would you assess?
Electrolytes (Na, K)
CBC & differential
Stool culture
If your patient was on diuretic therapy what lab values would you assess?
Renal fx tests (BUN, creatinine)
Electrolytes (Na, K)
If your patient had a post surgical bleed from his abdominal incision what labs would you assess?
Hgb
HCT
RBC
If your patient has a respiratory infection which lab values would you assess?
Sputum culture
WBC and differential
