Lab values - Per Study Guide

Question 1

Hemoglobin – Hgb

Answer 1

+ Red blood cell
+ oxygen carrier/transporter
+ increased = dehydration, Burns, COPD
+ decreased = anemia, hemorrhage

Question 2

Hematocrit – Hct

Answer 2

+ Proportion of blood composed of RBC
+ increased = dehydration, heart failure, smoking
+ decreased = anemia, loss of blood

Question 3

Platelet count – PLT

Answer 3

Essential for normal blood clotting
+ increased = cancer, anemia, TB
+ decreased = viral infections, HIT, sepsis

Question 4

BUN - blood urea nitrogen
& creatinine

Answer 4

Indicates kidney function
+ increase =
Kidney problems
+ decrease = malnutrition

Question 5

Hgb A1c – hemoglobin A1c

Answer 5

+ Average blood sugar saturation on Hgb molecule over the course of 120 days, NOT O2 saturation
+ Patient cannot lie to us

Question 6

PTH – parathyroid hormone

Answer 6

+ If calcium in blood is lowered, hormone stimulates bone to promote osteoclastic activity and release calcium into the blood, raising calcium levels

Question 7

Calcium – Ca

Answer 7

+ Indicates conditions relating to bones, heart, nerves, kidneys, teeth
+ increase = Hypothyroidism, cancer, TB
+ decrease = liver disease, mal nutrition

Question 8

C reactive protein – CRP

Answer 8

+ Indicates inflammation – bodies fight against illness, injury
+ increased = inflammation, cancer, auto immune diseases

Question 9

ESR – erythrocyte sedimentation rate

Answer 9

+ Measures degree of inflammation in body
+ NOT specific about where inflammation is coming from
+ increase = inflammation, anemia

Question 10

MRI – magnetic resonance imaging

Answer 10

+ Mostly for detection of cancer, internal bleeding, clots, fractures
+ NO METAL ALLOWED
+ no radiation involved

Question 11

CT scan – computerized axial tomography

Answer 11

+ Cross-sectional images of different parts of body
+ mostly used to find anomalies in brain, spinal cord, tumors, cysts
+ may include IV contrast
+ ASK ABOUT ALLERGIES TO IODINE AND SHELLFISH
+ ASSESS KIDNEY FUNCTION

Question 12

What is an “IV contrast” for

Answer 12

+ Given during CT scan by IV to check for diseases in body
+ ASK FOR ALLERGIES – iodine, shellfish – ask!
+ VERY HARD on kidneys, patient must have a good kidney function to metabolize and clear the body from IV contrast dye!
+ Must look at kidney function labs: Bunn, creatinine, GFR

Question 13

ABG – arterial blood gas

Answer 13

+ Only blood test for oxygenation
+ indicates lung function
+ decrease = SOB, cough, confusion, cyanosis

Question 14

What is the relevance between anemia, RBCs, and O2 capacity

Answer 14

RBCs only live 120 days
+ if patient is anemic they will have POOR O2 capacity
+ takes longer to build up again (RNBs and O2 capacity)

Question 15

Which mineral is most common in the body

Answer 15

Calcium – 99%

Question 16

Regulates protein metabolism

Answer 16

Glucocorticoids

Question 17

Promotes absorption of calcium and phosphorus

Answer 17

Vitamin D

Question 18

Works closely with calcium to build strong bones and teeth

Answer 18

Phosphorus

Question 19

Decreases high serum calcium levels by inhibiting bone resorption And increasing excretion of calcium & phosphorus

Answer 19

Calcitonin

Question 20

Responsible for increasing bone length

Answer 20

Growth hormone

Question 21

Hormone that raises calcium levels by stimulating bone to promote osteoclastic activity (which releases calcium)

Answer 21

Parathyroid hormone

Question 22

Increases bone mass through anabolism

Answer 22

Androgens

Question 23

Stimulates osteoblastic activity and inhibits PTH - parathyroid hormone

Answer 23

Estrogens

Question 24

Increases rate of proteins synthesis in tissues and bones

Answer 24

Thyroxine

Question 25

Works with growth hormone to build and maintain healthy bone tissue

Answer 25

Insulin

Question 26

Bone forming cells

Answer 26

Osteoblasts

Question 27

Bone destroying cells

Answer 27

Osteoclasts