Misc. Labs Flashcards
What is the second most abundant mineral in the body?
Phosphorus
What is the main organ that excretes phosphorus?
Kidney’s
Is phosphorus intracellular or extracellular?
Intracellular
Phosphorus combines with calcium in the _____ and ______
Teeth and bones
What does phosphorus exist as in the blood and what does it play a role in?
Phosphate
- Generation of boney tissue
- Metabolism of glucose, fats and proteins
- Storage and transfer of energy
What are the roles of phosphorus in the body?
- Essential for Muscle and Nervous System function
- Crucial role in formation of teeth and bones
- Role in metabolism (fats, carbs and proteins)
- Assists in regulating calcium levels
What are phosphorus levels determined by?
Calcium metabolism
What is the relationship between calcium and phosphorus?
Inverse
What does parathyroid hormone do to phosphate?
Decreases phosphate reabsorption which allows you to excrete more
(PTH controls calcium levels so if calcium levels are high PTH will decrease phosphate reabsorption so you can lower the phosphate levels by excreting it)
In reference to Ca and P, if there is an excess of one electrolyte in serum this causes ___________
The kidney to excrete the other electrolyte
What should you order a phosphorus test?
- Abnormalities in Calcium
- Post surgery (patients who are NPO)
- Seizing
- Alcoholics
What is usually ordered with phosphorus?
Magnesium
What can cause (false) decreased phosphorus levels?
Recent carb loading (including IV glucose)
Drugs: antacids, albuterol, anesthesia agents, estrogens, insulin, oral contraceptives, mannitol
What can cause (false) increased phosphorus levels?
- Laxatives or enemas containing sodium phosphate
drugs: methicillin, steroids, some diuretics, vitamin D
What is associated with increased LDH?
Malignant neoplasms or other cancers, lymphomas, or leukemias
What is a decreased LDH an indicator of?
That cancer therapy is working (chemo)
What is increased ammonia a sign of?
Liver not working
- Liver failure
- Alcoholics
What converts ammonia to urea?
Liver
What patients should you order ammonia on?
AMS with unknown cause
What is lactic acid a measure of?
Indirect measure of CELL PROFUSION
When should you order lactic acid?
-Measures “how sick” someone is so order in times of sepsis, pneumonia, etc
What is the main purpose of ordering uric acid?
Diagnosis and monitor treatment of gout
may also be increased in preeclampsia
What is C-reactive protein used to diagnose?
- Bacterial Infections
- Inflammatory disorders
C-reactive protein is more _____ than ESR
sensative
What does Pro-Calcitonin tell us?
Tells us if there is a bacterial infection…but not how severe it is or what bacteria it is
What is creatinine clearance a measure of?
VOLUME
- Number of milliliters filtered by the nephrons in the kidneys per min
- Depends on the amount of blood present to be filtered and the ability of a nephron to act as a filter
What is GFR a measure of ?
RATE
- Allows recognition of chronic renal disease in its earlier stages
- Opportunity to treat early and prevent or to slow progression
Who should you NOT give contrast dye to?
Patients on the verge of kidney failure
What 4 tests is kidney function measured by?
- Serum creatinine
- BUN
- BUN/Cr ratio
- 24 hour urine collection for CC
What conditions cause a decreased CC?
-Impaired kidney function
What conditions cause a decreased GFR?
- CHF
- Cirrhosis with ascites
- Shock
- Dehydration
