Module 1 Part 3: Diagnostics Flashcards
what is an ultrasound and why would it be done?
imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to acquire real time images
-would be done to diagnose conditions affecting organs and soft tissues of body (abdomen, pelvis, muscles etc.)
X-Ray
- dense areas are white, air filled areas are black
- are produced when electrons absorb some of a structures intensity as they pass through at the speed of light
CT scan
- takes longer than an X-ray
- two dimensional imaging
- contrast agents are used (check for allergies)
- contrast highlights tissues, organs, BV
MRI
- magnetic resonance imaging
- uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves
- does not use radiation
- contrast can be used
- takes much longer than a CT
- CANNOT have MRI if any hardware in you (pacemaker)
- three dimensional imaging
list the general overview of the lab tests that can be done
- blood
- urine
- stool
- sputum
- CSF (cerebral spinal fluid)
what is a complete blood cell count?
gives information regarding all cells in a patients blood (RBC, WBC, platelets)
what is the normal range for WBC’s?
4-10.5 x10 9/L
what could it mean if your WBC count is low?
patient is at great risk for infection/illness
what does it mean if WBC count is high?
usually means infection is present (WBC’s are multiplying to destroy bacteria/virus)
what is the normal range for RBC’s?
3.80-5.20 x10 12/L
what could it mean if RBC’s are low?
could mean anemia (occurs when blood doesn’t have enough RBC’s)
what could it mean if RBC’s are high?
limited oxygen supply
what is the normal range for hemoglobin?
120-150g/L
what could low hemoglobin mean?
low level of oxygen in blood; person could have anemia
what could high hemoglobin mean?
occurs when body requires increased O2-carrying capacity (ex. smokers) RBC naturally increase to compensate for lower oxygen supply
normal range for hematocrit?
0.35-0.48L/L
what is hematocrit?
ratio of volume of RBC’s to the total volume of blood
low hematocrit levels mean?
insufficient supply of healthy RBC’s
high levels of hematocrit mean?
dehydration
range for platelets?
150-400x10 9/L
high level of platelets can mean?
greater ability to clot and therefore can cause stroke, MI
low level of platelets can mean?
a stable clot might not form and pt could be at risk for excessive bleeding
normal range for sodium (Na+)
135-145mmol/L
high sodium levels mean
dehydration
low sodium levels mean
consumption of too many fluids, kidney failure, use of diuretics
normal range for potassium (K+)?
3.5-5.0mmol/L
high potassium levels mean
possible kidney disease and could stop heart
low potassium levels
can cause arrhythmias in heart
normal range for glucose?
3.9-11.0mmol/L
low glucose levels mean
blood sugar levels are low (hypoglycemia)
high glucose levels mean
blood sugar levels are high and need insulin (hyperglycemia)
normal range for creatinine
50-90umol/L
high creatinine levels mean
could mean impaired kidney function or kidney disease
low creatinine levels mean
may indicate muscles deteriorating
GFR range
> 60mL/min
low GFR means
kidneys aren’t working as well as they should be
PTT range and what is PTT
Partial Thromboplastin Time. Range= 23-32 seconds. PTT is the time it takes for a clot to form. Intrinsic pathway (activated by trauma inside vascular system)
PT-INR range and what is it
Prothrombin Time-International Normalized Ratio. Range= 0.9-1.1 seconds. used to monitor how well the blood-thinning medication is working. Extrinsic pathway (activated by external trauma that causes blood to escape from the vascular system)
why do potassium levels matter?
because they can affect heart ex. open heart surgery you would pour potassium over heart to stop it and allows surgeons to perform on the heart)
high PTT can mean?
theres a lack or low level of one of the blood clotting factors which leads to more bleeding
low PTT can mean?
clotting occurs faster
what is the role of the kidneys
- dilute or concentrate urine
- regulate electrolytes (Na, K)
- effect blood chemistry
- effect BP
- respond to hormones- ADH, aldosterone, parathyroid
liver function tests
AST- enzyme found in hepatic and myocardial cells
ALT- enzyme with highest concentration found in liver
-both AST/ALT are released in blood when liver cells are damaged
Albumin- most abundant blood plasma protein thats produced in liver
what specific lab test always needs to be STERILE?
microbiology. These need to be in a sterile container
ex. viral studies, bacterial culture, antibiotic sensitivity, fungal screening
what does a culture and sensitivity (C+S) test show? when would you want to order a C+S?
detects any germs/bacteria present. To diagnose a UTI
what is a urinalysis?
measures substances in urine (normal, abnormal cells, bacteria etc)
when would you order a urinalysis?
to detect/manage disorders such as urinary tract infections, kidney disease and diabetes etc
normal range for Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)? and what is AST?
10-36 u/L. AST are liver enzymes
normal range for Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)? what is it?
10-55 u/L. Liver enzymes
normal range for procalcitonin? what could a high level mean?
0.0-0.25 u/L. Its a protein and can be an indicator for infection (sepsis)
what causes ALT levels to rise?
When liver is damaged or inflamed
why is an ALT (liver function) test done?
when pt is having symptoms of liver disease:
- jaundice
- dark urine
- nausea
- vomiting
- pain in RUQ of abdomen
high AST levels are associated with?
liver injury
what two tests (of a liver function test) are typically measured together?
ALT and AST tests. Both are released into bloodstream when liver cells are damaged
what is the role of sodium in the body?
- Extracellular osmolality
- Transmembrane potential
- Acid:base balance
- Numerous chemical reactions
what is hypernatremia?
elevated sodium intake associated with limited access to water (levels greater than 145mmol/L)
what is hyponatremia?
low sodium concentration in blood (less than 135mmol/L)
what is the role of potassium in the body?
- Transmembrane potential
- Intracellular osmolality
- Acid:base balance
- Intracellular enzyme reactions
what is hyperkalemia?
higher than normal potassium levels (greater than 5.0mmol/L)
what is hypokalemia?
lower than normal potassium levels (lower than 3.5mmol/L)
role of glucose in body?
- From carbohydrate metabolism
- Stored as glycogen in liver
- Main source of energy for the brain
if your patient had 5 days of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, which lab values would you assess?
- electrolytes (Na, K)
- CBC to see if they’re feeling nauseous etc due to being low on any values
- hematocrit
If your patient was on diuretic therapy, which lab values would you assess?
- electrolytes
- GFR
If your patient had a post surgical bleed from his abdominal incision, Which lab values would you assess
- WBC
- RBC
- Hemoglobin
- platelets
- PTT
- PT-INR
If your patient had muscle twitching which lab value would you assess?
Magnesium
magnesium diagnostic test
done to monitor calcium supplementation
what could symptoms of magnesium deficiency be?
muscle weakness, twitching, cramping, confusion, cardiac arrhythmias, and seizures
phosphate diagnostic test
done to measure phosphate in blood
what could symptoms of phosphate deficiency be?
would experience bone related symptoms: bone pain, fragile bones, joint stiffness, weakness, numbness etc
