Labs / Analysis Flashcards
ABI (ankle-brachial index)
ratio of blood pressure in lower legs compared to blood pressure in the arms
AChR Ab / anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody
blood test used in diagnosis of myasthenia gravis; highly accurate; 90%+
anion gap blood test
measures the difference b/t the negatiely charged and positive electrolytes in the blood. If high = too acidic if low, = not acidic enough
ankle-brachial index ABI
blood pressure in ankle and brachial artery are compared. Low ABI indicates peripheral artery disease in lower extremity.
anti-MuSK antibody
blood test to diagnose myasthenia gravis; antibodies to muscle-specific kinase
anti-striated muscle antibody / anti-SM Ab
blood test for diagnosing myasthenia gravis
anticholinesterase (Tensilon) test
medication administered via IV; muscle testing then performed; may also use placebo to verify. Diagnoses myasthenia gravis
arterial and venous mapping
ultrasound tracing of blood flow in arteries or veins; assess viability for use in bypass or check flow through vessel
arterial blood gases (ABGs)
measurement of hydrogen, carbon dioxide, pH, and oxygen pressures are obtained from a sample of arterial blood; aids in determination of acid-base balance, oxygen, and cO2 levels in arterial blood
ASA score
physical diagnostic evaluation to determine patient’s overall fitness for surgery; I-V, higher is less fit for surgery
before and after (B/A) bronchodilator
breathing test given before and after use of bronchodilator causing dilation of bronchi to check the effect on airflow
BiPAP/CPAP bi-level positive airway pressure/continuous positive airway pressure
masks used to treat sleep apnea. BiPAP have 2 levels, CPAP has one
BPH / Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Finger is inserted into rectum to check if prostate is enlarged. Also a urine test. Prostate gland enlarged and may cause problems with urination;
brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER)
tests electrical activity in the ear
broncheoalveolar lavage BAL
bronchoscopic procedure where liquid is squirted through a scope then collected for analysis under microscope after procedure
brushings and washings
bronchoscopic procedure (BAL) but also using brushed to gather tissue samples for microscope analysis
C-reactive protein CRP
blood test looking for elevated protein in blood; indicates inflammation. More accurate in predicting heart disease than cholesterol testing.
cardiac catheterization
long flexible thin tube (catheter) is placed in a blood vessel (usually arm, groin, neck) and is threaded to the heart. Dye injected and following on imaging to find narrows/blocks. Also to show valve functions.
cardiac enzymes / cardiac injury panel
blood tests to assess heart muscle damage “Cardiac biomarkers”; CK creatine kinase, CPK creatine phosphokinase, myoglobin, troponin I, troponin T
coagulation studies
Measure clotting time; INR international normalized ratio, PT prothrombin time, PTT partial prothrombin time
carotid ultrasound/carotid Doppler
ultrasound procedure utilizing sound waves to look at the flow in the carotid arteries; used as a diagnostic tool in stroke or prestroke patients
cerebral angiogram
radiologic procedure using special dye to image the vessels in and around the brain
Chem-7 / basic metabolic panel
Measures the BUN (blood urea nitrogen), carbon dioxide, creatinine, glucose, serum chloride, serum potassium, and serum sodium. Can help advise if you are well enough for surgery
chest x-ray PA/lateral
full view of the lungs and heart from back and side
complete spirometry
measurement of the breathing capacity of the lungs
CSF analysis (cereprospinal fluid)
microscopic study done to evaluate CSF components for conditions; hazy or yellow fluid, bacteria cultures, cell counts,, chemicals, foriegn bodies, glucose, microorganisms, pressure, protein, wbc and rbc, viruses.
cystatin-C
blood test that measures kidney function but is very accurate predictor of heart disease. Measures glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of kidneys.
cystometry / cystomegtrogram
part of urodynamic testing (UDS) measure how well the bladder fxns. Help diagnose problems with incontinence, etc.
D-dimer
blood test to look for D-dimer; protein fragment from the breakdown of a blood clot. Clots generally slowly break after they are formed. Elevated levels can be signs of disorder.
digital subtraction angiography (DSA)
Dye is injected into vein in arm; x-ray takes a series of pictures of the chest or head/neck and a computer images the results. Lets Dr assess blockages/severity/location.
echocardiogram
noninvasive procedure using a high-frequency ultrasound to create real-time imaging of the heart
ejection fraction EF
assesses the amount of blood pumped from the left ventricle. Healthy is 60% to 75%, systolic heart failure = 20% to 40%, diastolic HF = normal ranges
electroencephalogram EEG
EEG tracks and records brain wave patterns. Small flat metal discs (electrodes) attach to scalp with wires. Brain cells communicate via electrical impulses, activity an EEG detects. An altered pattern can indicate conditions such as epilepsy.
electrolytes ( lytes, BMP, CMP )
blood panel checking mineral levels for renal failure, diabetes, etc. Focus on glucose, potassium, sodium
electron beam computerized tomography EBCT or ultrafast CT
noninvasive imaging; detects calcium in fatty deposits that are constricting or partially blocking the coronary vasculature.
endotracheal intubation
establishing an airway with the insertion of a tube through the nose or mouth to the pharynx, larynx into trachea
ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate
blood test can be elevated in patient’s with pulmonary fibrosis conditions and/or inflammatory lung conditions
FAST / focused assessment with sonography for trauma
bedside ultrasound exam to evaluate internal organs and structures before trauma surgery
fibreoptic bronchoscpy
procedure using flexible light-transmitting plastic fibers to visualize the bronchi
flow cytometry
laser-based technology used for cell counting, biomarker detetion, and protein engineering; (properties of single cell); used to detect antibody / reactions in CSF analysis