glossary Flashcards
ABG (arterial blood gas)
- test that analyzes arterial blood for oxygen, CO2, bicarbonate, pH
- determine effectiveness of respiration
Accession number
unique number given for each test request
AFP
- alpha fetoprotein
- normally found in human fetus
- abnormal levels may indicate neural tube defect
- test performed on maternal serum
Aliquot
- when a specimen is collected, it may need to be divided to run several tests on it
- fraction of specimen
Antisepsis
-practice of using antiseptics to eliminate the microorganisms that cause disease
Arrhythmia
- abnormal rate of muscle contractions in the heart
- bradycardia (too slow)
- tachycardia (too fast)
ASAP
as soon as possible
Asepsis
-state of being free from disease-causing contaminants
Aseptic
-absence of microogansims
Autologous Blood Transfusion
- intraoperative blood salvage
- medical procedure involving recovering blood lost during surgery
- reinfusing blood into patient
basilic vein
- inner side of biceps
- often chosen for intravenous injections + blood drawing
Battery
-basis of tort in this case is the unprivileged touching of one person by another
Bleeding time
- test done to ascertain platelet function
- aspirin will affect bleeding time results
Blood Clot
- conversion of blood from liquid to solid through process of coagulation
- thrombus is a clot
Blood born infection
infection transmitted blood to blood
Butterfly
- small needle with 2 plastic wings
- usually 23 gauge
CDC
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Chain of Custody
-tracking each individual who had access/possession of a sample
Circulation
-movement of fluid in regular/circuitous course
Citrate
- compound that is an intermediate in the Krebs cycle
- citrate binds to calcium ions preventing blood clotting
- effective anticoagulant
Coagulant factors
-group of plasma protein substances contained in plasma which act together to bring about blood coagulation
CBC
- complete blood count
- number of RBCs, WBCs, platelets
Contamination
-soiling/pollution by inferior material
Coumadin
trademark for the preparation of warfarin sodium
Cyanotic
-bluish skin color due to lack of oxygen
Cystitis
- inflammation of the urinary bladder
- often caused by infection
Defamation of Character
-injury to another person’s reputation
Diaphoretic
- formation of profuse perspiration
- symptom of syncope
Differential
- count made on stained blood smear of proportion of different leukocytes (WBCs)
- part of a CBC
Diurnal Variations
- measuring of a body’s ability to metabolize certain substances
- monitoring changes in patient’s condition within 24hr period
-DNR
- do not resuscitate
- no codes should be called for this patient
- no heroic measures should be taken
Ecchymosis
-skin discoloration caused by a bruise (contusion)
EDTA
- calcium binding agent
- used as anticoagulant
Electrolyte
- substance that will acquire the capacity to conduct electricity when put into solution
- sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium
EMLA
- Eutectic Mixture of Local Anesthetic
- usually topical spray that briefly anesthetizes skin prior to puncture
Embolus
- sudden blockage of a blood vessel by a clot
- EX: dtached blood clot, clump of bacteria
- contrast to thrombus
Ethanol
another name for alcohol in blood testing
Fibrillation
- Rapid, inefficient contraction of muscle fibers of heart
- caused by disruption of nerve impulses
Fibrin
-protein formed during normal blood clotting that is the essence of the clot
Fibrin Strands
- formed in a centrifuged blood sample
- when blood wasn’t allowed to clot for at least 30 min before
Fibrinogen
-protein from which fibrin is formed in normal blood clotting
Flash
- appearance of small amount of blood in neck of syringe/tubing of butterfly
- sign that vein has been properly accessed
Fahrenheit/Celsius
C = (F-32) x 5/9 F = (Cx9/5) + 32
Fomite
-inanimate object that transports microorganisms
Formed Elements
-RBCs, WBCs, Platelets
Galactosemia
- rare genetic metabolic disorder
- affects ability to metabolize sugar galactose properly
Gauge
- needle diameter
- larger the diameter, smaller the gauge
- 16 hemodialysis
- 23 butterfly
Germicide
-an agent that kills pathogenic microorganisms
Good Samaritan Law
- rendering of first aid by healthcare professionals at scene of accident/sudden injury
- encourages professionals to provide care within scope of their training without fear of being sued for negligence
glucose
- sugar measured in blood + urine specimens
- determine presence of diabetes
Glucose Meter/Glucometer
-device that individuals with Diabetes use to measure the amount of sugar in their blood stream
Gram
-basic unit of weight
Heparin
- anticoagulant that acts to inhibit a number of coagulation factors, eXa
- formed in liver
Hepatitis D Virus
- usually acquired with HBV as co-infection/super infection
- jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain
Hematocrit
- ratio of total RBC volume to the total blood volume
- expressed as percentage
Hematoma
- localized collection of blood within tissue
- leakage from wall of blood vessel
- ecchymosis
Hematuria
blood in the urine
Hemoconcentration
- decrease in fluid content of the blood plasma
- caused by leaving the tourniquet on too long
Hemoglobin
-oxygen carrying pigment of RBCs
Hemoglobinuria
-excretion of free hemoglobin in the urine
Hemolyze/Hemolysis
- breaking of RBC membrane
- releasing free hemoglobin into circulating blood
- usually result of using smaller needle than should have been used
HIPAA
- federal health insurance portability and accountability act
- protect confidentiality
Hyperglycemia
-abnormally high blood sugar level
Hypoglycemia
-abnormally low blood sugar level
Iatrogenic Anemia
-type of anemia in which patients blood marrow stops making new RBCs
Impermeable
doesn’t allow passage of liquids
Indirect Infection
-an infection transmitted through body fluids to blood
Informed Consent
-giving patient adequate info concerning method, risk, consequences for specific procedure
Invasion of Privacy
-release of medical records without patient’s knowledge/permission
Latrogenic
- refers to any effect on a person
- resulting from any activity of one or more persons acting as healthcare professionals or promoting products/services
Lipemic
- after blood is spun + separated in centrifuge the serum/plasma portion (milky white)
- patient not fasting or hyperlipidema
LIS
-Laboratory Information System
-
Liter
basic metric unit of volume
Lymphedema
- type of swelling which occurs in lymphatic tissue
- when excess fluid collets in arms/legs
- because lymph nodes/vessels are blocked/removed
- Mastectomies
Meter
basic metric unit of distance
Multi-Sample Adapter
-device used with butterfly + vacutainer holder to allow for withdrawal of multiple tubes of blood during venipuncture
Murmur
-noise between normal heart sounds caused by blood flow through a heart valve
NCCLS
- National Center for Clinical laboratory Standards
- CLSI
Negligence
- failure to exercise standard of care that reasonable would give under similar circumstances
- 4 Ds, Duty, Derelict, Direct cause, Damage
NPO
-meaning by mouth
Oncoogy
-study/treatment of cancer
Oxyhemoglobin
-hemoglobin that has been bound w oxygen in lungs for purpose of transport to cells in body
Palpate
- examine/feel using fingers of non dominant hand
- feel veins
Pathogen
-any microorganism that produces disease
Pathogenic
-having capability of producing disease
Patient Confidentiality
- key concept if HIPAA
- patients have right to privacy
Pernicious Anemia
-lack of erythrocytes caused by an inability in body to absorb vitamin B12
Peripheral Blood
- blood obtained from circulation away from heart
- fingertip, heel pad etc.
Petechiae
- tiny non-raised red spots
- due to rupturing of capillaries due to tourniquet being left on or too tight
Phlebitis
-inflammation of vein as result of repeated venipuncture on that vein
Pipette
-glass/transparent plastic tube used to accurately transport small amount of liquid
Plasma
- fluid portion of blood
- cellular components supsended
Platelets
- thrombocyte
- involved in coagulation
Point of Care Testing (POCT)
- diagnostic testing at or near site of patient care
- bring the test conveniently + immediately to the patient
Quality Assurance
-program that guarantees quality patient care by tracking outcomes
QNS
-quantity not sufficient
RAST
- radioallgergosorbent test
- detection of allergies
RBCs
- solid component of the blood
- contains hemoglobic
Sclerosis
-hardening, especially from inflammation and certain disease states
Septicemia
-systemic infection associated with the presence of pathogenic organisms introduced during a venipuncture
Serum
-clear liquid portion of blood
Sphygmomanometer
-cuff placed on arm of patient for blood pressure measurement
STAT
-immediately
Trauma
-injury to underlying tissues caused by probing of the needle
Thrombophlebitis
-inflammation of vein with formation of clot
Thrombus
-blood clot usually formed as consequence of insuffiecient pressure applied after withrdrawal of needle
Tort
-wrongful act
Tourniquet
-constrictive band to limit blood flow
Tumor Markers
-substances sometimes found in blood that indicates a certain type of cancer
Universal Precautions
-prevention strategy in which all blood + potentially infectious materials are treated as if they are infections
VAD
- vascular access device
- device used to gain access to vein or artery such as Needle, IV, Catheter
Vacutainer
-automatically aspirates correct amount of blood into tube
White Cell Count
-number of WBC (leukocytes) found in peripheral blood
Whole Blood
-blood from none of the elements have been removed
