Introudction To Laboratory Tests Flashcards
What is a sensitive laboratory test?
It indicates how effective a test is at testing for the presence of a condition. (e.g. highly sensitive test very unlikely to give false negatives) urine culture 90-95 % sensitive if performed correctly.
What is a highly specific laboratory test ?
A highly specific test is very unlikely to give a false positive. It indicates how good the test is at identifying the absence of the condition. Example HbA1c 94% specificity- effective is identifying those who DO NOT have diabetes.
What is the purpose in performing cultures and how are they carried out?
. By taking cultures this allows clinicians to prescribe appropriate antibiotic treatment to ensure effectiveness and prevent resistance.
. To perform a culture, a certain antibiotic is given to targets specific microorganisms. The culture will then show is that antibiotic was effective or not in killing/preventing growth of a specific bacteria.
Microbiology reports often show S-sensitive or R-resistant
When is it best to collect a urine sample and via what method?
Early in the morning as urine is more concentrated and abnormalities are more likely to show. It is best to use the midstream catch method when collecting urine ( first bit of urine not used ) as it has not touched any genitals- less contamination.
What is required from a patient for a sputum sample?
The patient will be asked to cough and collect the sputum (mucus) they bring up into a pot
What tests are suggested for symptoms of blood in stool?
FIT test and fecal calprotection test
What is an FIT test and how much sample does it require ?
FIT (faecal immunochemical test) only required the grooves in the stick to be filled, a small amount of stool
What tests are recommended for LUTS symptoms?
Urine dipstick and urine culture
