Labs Flashcards
Sources for lab testing
- Wounds
- Blood
- Urine
Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)
Blood test for:
-Glucose, Na, K, Ca, Cl, CO2, Blood urea nitrogen, and Creatinine
Provides blood sugar, electrolyte, and fluid balance, and kidney function.
Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Includes:
-All labs covered by BMP
-Albumin
-Total protein
-Liver function enzymes
-Total bilirubin
Helps to provide insight into liver function
Creatinine
Waste product excreted by kidneys and biomarker of kidney function
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
Waste product and biomarker of kidney function
Anion Gap
The difference in blood anions and cations, used to determine metabolic acidosis or alkalosis
-May give indicate renal dysfunction, ingestion of toxins, etc.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Includes:
RBCs
WBCs
Platelets
Hemoglobin (Hgb)
Hematocrit (Hct)
Mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
Checks for anemia, gives insight into blood conditions and medication impacts on blood
CBC w/ Diff
Provides cell counts for CBC WBCs.
Ferritin
Cellular storage protein for iron, often checked when evaluating anemia. Can be nonspecific inflammatory marker
Liver Function Enzymes
AST/ALT - Liver aminotransferases, high amount can indicate dysfunction and ratio can be useful.
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) - Enzyme that can indicate dysfunction or bone disorders when elevated.
Lipid Panel
Includes:
-Total cholesterol
-High density lipoprotein (HDL)
-Low density lipoprotein (LDL)
-Triglycerides
Used to evaluate cardiac risk by determining different forms of cholesterol.
Thyroid Studies
Includes:
-Free T4
-Serum T4
-Thyroid Binding Hormone
-Serum T3
-Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Can be used to monitor thyroid function and identify cause of weight changes and fatigue
Inflammatory/Autoimmune Tests
Includes:
-Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
-C-reactive Protein (CRP)
-Plasma viscosity
-Antinuclear Antibody (ANA)
-Rheumatoid Factor (RF)
Can determine inflammatory processes or autoimmune disorders
Reproductive Hormone Tests
Includes the reproductive hormones of males and females
Can be used to investigate fertility and puberty issues, pregnancy, amenorrhea, menopause, and hypogonadism in men.
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Biomarker of immune response used to determine nonspecific presence of inflammation or infection.
CPK-1 Enzyme Marker
Can indicate brain injuries or cancer
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
Blood test to determine markers of inflammation, AKA Sed Rate
Coagulation Panel
Includes:
-CBC
-Factor V
-Fibrinogen
-Prothrombin Time
-Platelet Count
-Thrombin Time
-Bleeding time
Used to understand clotting capacity in a patient or the function of anticoagulants
CPK-2, CPK-3, Troponin
Can indicate heart attack or injury
INR, Prothrombin Time (PT/INR)
Measures time it takes for blood to clot, used to assess clotting ability
-Commonly taken for patients on blood thinners
Vitamin D Level
Used to evaluate fatigue or depressed mood, associated with Ca absorption and bone health
Vitamin B12 Level
Used to evaluate anemia if deficient, necessary for nervous function and RBC formation
Vitamin B9 (Folate) Levels
Measured before/during pregnancy, necessary for proper formation of the neural tube
Abdominal Labs
Include:
-Celiac disease, LFTs, H. Pylori Ab, and Amylase/Lipase
Used to check pancreatic and liver functions, investigate symptoms and nutrition
Amylase/Lipase
Digestive enzymes analyzed when evaluating pancreatic function. When elevated, can indicate pancreatitis
Toxicology Screen
Includes:
-Amphetamine, Cocaine, Barbiturates, Marijuana, Opiates, PCP, Nicotine, Alcohol
Evaluates substance use, can be for work-required screening
STI and Infectious Disease Panel
Includes:
- HIV, Syphilis (RPR), Hep A Ab, Hep B Surface Ag, Hep C Ab, HSV I and II, Malaria, Lyme Disease, West Nile
Identifies specific acute infections and previous infections
Can evaluate effectiveness of drugs
Chlamydia/Gonorrhea
STIs tested for from urine, throat, rectum, urethra, or cervix.
Often reported together as Ct/GC NAA
Hep C
Viral liver infection.
Test determines antibody presence
HIV Screen 4th Gen w/Rfx
Test for HIV Abs and Antigen, with reflex to confirmatory testing (differentiating HIV types)
Lyme Disease Ab
Antibody test for tickborne Lyme disease, usually ordered to determine if symptoms are caused by Lyme
Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR)
Screen for Syphilis to ID infection or monitor treatment, used in conjunction with other tests.
Wet Prep
Examines vaginal fluid for abnormal bacteria, yeast, pathogen
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
Blood test to aid in the diagnosis of prostate enlargement, cancer, etc.
Hgb A1C
A measure of average blood sugar levels
over the past three months. It is a helpful test
in screening for and monitoring diabetes.
Uric Acid
Tested commonly for diagnosis or management of gout
Urinalysis
Includes:
-Protein, leukocytes, nitrites, blood, glucose, ketones, pH, specific gravity, bilirubin, urobilinogen, micro-bacteria
can diagnose UTI, diagnose kidney and liver issues, diabetic/metabolic issues, etc.
Stool Cultures
Check for bacterial species in stool if patient is experiencing GI symptoms
Wound cultures
Checks wounds for sources of infection and guide treatment
Nasopharyngeal cultures
Nasal swab for various pathogens that can cause respiratory illness
Stool Analysis
Checks for:
-Appearance, color, odor, mucus, occult blood, fat, meat fibers, bile, WBC, pH, parasites.
Diagnoses digestive tract disorders, poor nutrition, and possible cancer
‘HemOccult’ or Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOB)
A stool sample is examined for small amounts of blood that may not be visible (“occult”). May be referred to as “hemoccult” or “guaiac” test.
Breath Tests
H. Pylori infection-related chemical signs can be found on breath, such as urea levels.
Thrombocytopenia
Low platelets
Anemia
Low RBCs
Polycythemia
High RBCs
Leukocytosis
High WBCs
Hyperkalemia
High potassium
Hyperchloremia
High chloride
Hypovolemia
Low blood volume
Hypovitaminosis D
Low Vit D
Hematuria
Blood in urine
Hyperlipidemia
High fat in blood
Hematochezia
Blood in stool
Bacteremia
Bacteria presence in blood
Dyslipidemia
Abnormal amounts of lipids in blood
Hyperinsulinemia
High insulin in blood
Hyperparathyroidism
Excess of parathyroid hormone
Hypothyroidism
Low thyroid hormone
Leukopenia
Low WBCs
Neutropenia
Low neutrophils
Blast Cells
Immature WBCs present in blood (can indicate leukemia)
Anisocytosis
RBCs on peripheral smear are different sizes
Hypercapnia
High CO2 in blood
Hyperammonemia
High ammonia in blood
Hyperuricemia
High levels of uric acid in blood
Uremia
High levels of waste in urine, can indicate kidney dysfunction
Metabolic Acidosis vs Alkalosis
pH is lower or higher than normal in blood
Lactic Acidosis
Type of metabolic acidosis characterized by high lactate. Can indicate sepsis, metabolic disorders, etc.
