Lab Tests Flashcards
What are the two types of lab tests?
Screening vs confirmatory
What are the four lab values for a CBC?
Hbg, Platelets, WBC, hematocrit
What is a BMP? CMP? What markers do you look for?
Basic/complete metabolic panel
-Na, Cl, K, HCO3/CO2, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), Glucose, and creatinine (BMP)
—> CMP includes AST/ALT, Bilurubin, albumin, calcium, and phosphate
What can a BMP/CMP be ordered for?
Kidney function or electrolyte issues
When do you order a coagulation panel?
Blood thinner or bleeding disorder
What does a coagulation panel measure?
Prothrombin (PT)
Partial thromboplastin (PTT)
International normalized ratio (INR)
What does the INR monitor?
Coumadin and warfarin levels
How many blood cultures do you order almost always?
2 sets due to contamination of the skin (possibly)
What can a urinalysis measure?
Sugar, pH, ketone, nitrites, blood, etc (dipstick)
Microbes, RBC, WBC, crystals (microscopic urine exam()
What conditions would prompt a CBC?
Anemia, cancer, infection, inflammation
What conditions warrant a CMP?
Liver disease, renal disease, electrolytes
What conditions warrant a BMP?
Renal disease and electrolytes
What conditions warrant a coagulation panel?
Bleeding disorders, monitoring anticoagulation
What conditions warrant a urinalysis?
Infection, kidney stones, diabetes, proteinuria
What conditions warrant a blood culture?
Bacteremia, fungal infections
Where can capillary blood samples be collected?
Fingerstick or subq prick
Why would an arterial blood sample be warranted?
Difficulty breathing, any time O2 content is questioned
——riskier, less common, requires special training
Why do colored top tubes matter with blood drawing?
Different reagents are in the tubes that let us make plasma, serum, or impact various other tests
What does a “red” blood draw cap indicate?
“Type and screen” (blood types); for toxicology, alcohol, etc
What does a lavender or pink blood draw cap indicate?
Has an anticoagulant to preserve RBC, and keep blood unclot
Anemia, infections, etc
What does a “light blue” blood draw cap indicate?
Coagulation panel (w/ anticoagulant)
What are the three categories of erroneous results?
Preanalytic- name wrong, label wrong, etc
Analytic- incorrect storage, assay interference, etc
Post analytic- wrong person notified, delay in communication, misinterpretation of results
What is the most common mistake in blood drawing?
Hemolysis (too much turbulance lyses the cell, potassium escapes into the fluid)
What are the three most common prescriptions to test blood levels on (according to the lecture)?
Digoxin, vancomycin, coumadin
