Lab values - Per Study Guide Flashcards
Hemoglobin – Hgb
+ Red blood cell
+ oxygen carrier/transporter
+ increased = dehydration, Burns, COPD
+ decreased = anemia, hemorrhage
Hematocrit – Hct
+ Proportion of blood composed of RBC
+ increased = dehydration, heart failure, smoking
+ decreased = anemia, loss of blood
Platelet count – PLT
Essential for normal blood clotting
+ increased = cancer, anemia, TB
+ decreased = viral infections, HIT, sepsis
BUN - blood urea nitrogen
& creatinine
Indicates kidney function
+ increase =
Kidney problems
+ decrease = malnutrition
Hgb A1c – hemoglobin A1c
+ Average blood sugar saturation on Hgb molecule over the course of 120 days, NOT O2 saturation
+ Patient cannot lie to us
PTH – parathyroid hormone
+ If calcium in blood is lowered, hormone stimulates bone to promote osteoclastic activity and release calcium into the blood, raising calcium levels
Calcium – Ca
+ Indicates conditions relating to bones, heart, nerves, kidneys, teeth
+ increase = Hypothyroidism, cancer, TB
+ decrease = liver disease, mal nutrition
C reactive protein – CRP
+ Indicates inflammation – bodies fight against illness, injury
+ increased = inflammation, cancer, auto immune diseases
ESR – erythrocyte sedimentation rate
+ Measures degree of inflammation in body
+ NOT specific about where inflammation is coming from
+ increase = inflammation, anemia
MRI – magnetic resonance imaging
+ Mostly for detection of cancer, internal bleeding, clots, fractures
+ NO METAL ALLOWED
+ no radiation involved
CT scan – computerized axial tomography
+ 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
What is an “IV contrast” for
+ 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
ABG – arterial blood gas
+ Only blood test for oxygenation
+ indicates lung function
+ decrease = SOB, cough, confusion, cyanosis
What is the relevance between anemia, RBCs, and O2 capacity
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)
Which mineral is most common in the body
Calcium – 99%
Regulates protein metabolism
Glucocorticoids
Promotes absorption of calcium and phosphorus
Vitamin D
Works closely with calcium to build strong bones and teeth
Phosphorus
Decreases high serum calcium levels by inhibiting bone resorption And increasing excretion of calcium & phosphorus
Calcitonin
Responsible for increasing bone length
Growth hormone
Hormone that raises calcium levels by stimulating bone to promote osteoclastic activity (which releases calcium)
Parathyroid hormone
Increases bone mass through anabolism
Androgens
Stimulates osteoblastic activity and inhibits PTH - parathyroid hormone
Estrogens
Increases rate of proteins synthesis in tissues and bones
Thyroxine
