Module 2 Common Labs (Pediatrics)

Question 1

Amylase (AML)

Answer 1

Used to dx pancreatitis
-rises acutely with pancreatitis

Question 2

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)

Answer 2

Detects biliary obstructing hepatic lesions 1. obstructed bile ducts (inc.)
Detect osteoblastic skeletal disease (Paget’s) 2. New born formation (Paget’s disease)
Alcohol ingestion (increases in pt with cirrhosis)

Question 3

Albumin

Answer 3

if low, used to evaluate edema, liver disease, suspected malnutrition
-if high, suspect dehydration

Question 4

Protein-specific antigen (PSA)

Answer 4

Detects prostate diseases
-inc PSA = higher staging of CA

Question 5

Aminotransferases: alanine or ALT, aspartate or AST

Answer 5

ALT: specific for liver
AST: cardiac or skeletal muscle injury
Diagnosing and monitoring liver disease; screens meds that produce liver damage

Question 6

Thyroid stimulating hormone or thyroptopin

Answer 6

Diagnose hypothyroidism (high TSH)
Diagnose hyperthyroidism (low TSH)

Question 7

Total protein

Answer 7

Suspected hepatic disease (as when jaundice is seen)
Suspected protein deficiency

Question 8

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)

Answer 8

Evaluate renal function
Assesses hydration status

High BUN = renal insufficiency; dehydration
Low BUN = overhydration

Question 9

Serum Calcium
-level for adult
-level for child
-used for evaluation of what?

Answer 9

-8.9-10.1
-10.6
-Aid in dx of neuromuscular, skeletal, & endocrine disorders, arrhythmias, blood clotting problems, acid-base imbalance, assess muscle cramping/tetany

High Ca: hyperparathyroidism, paget’s disease
Low Ca: hypoparathyroidism, cushing disease

Question 10

Serum creatinine
-level for adult male
-level for adult female
-used for evaluation of what?

Answer 10

-0.8
-0.6-0.9
-screening patients at risk for renal injury (HTN or diabetes)

High BUN: renal impairment; athletes
Low BUN: insignificant

Question 11

Potassium
-level
-used for evaluation of what?

Answer 11

-3.5-5.0
-Monitor renal fx, depletion from diuretics; arrhythmias, c/o weakness/muscle cramps/paresthesia, detect origin of arrhythmias

High K+: MI, DKA, Renal disorders, Burns
Low K+: Renal disorders, excessive licorice ingestion

Question 12

Other thyroid tests
-Thyroxine (T4)
-Triiodothyronine (T3)

Answer 12

T4 is the principal hormone secreted by thyroid gland in response to TSH
Triiodothyronine (T3) is more potent than T4; derived from T4

Question 13

Sodium
-level
-used for evaluation of what?

Answer 13

-135-145
-Evaluate HF, liver disease, chronic renal failure, edematous states, acid-base balance, neuromuscular functions, use of lithium

Question 14

Bilirubin
-level for adult
-level for neonate
-Used for evaluation of what?

Answer 14

-1.1 or <
-1-10
-Evaluate liver fx; monitor progress of jaundice

Question 15

Chloride
-level
-Used for evaluation of what?

Answer 15

-95-105
-controls renal secretions in the blood; CO2 dec as Cl inc.

High Cl-: Nephritis, eclampsia, anemia, cardiac disease, dehydration from diarrhea
Low Cl-: fever, diabetes, pneumonia, GI loss, CHF, thiazide diuretic

Question 16

Interpretation of WBC differential
-neutrophils
-lymphocytes
-Monocytes
-Bands
-Eosinophils
-Basophils

Answer 16

-first line defense against bacteria
-increase in chronic or viral infection
-second line defense against viral infections/chronic bacterial infections (live longer than neutrophils)
-Early stage neutrophils - body is launching response to infection
-elevated in allergies and parasite infections
-Similar to neutrophils; prevent blood blotting during healing/aid healing

Question 17

WBC interpretation: shift to left; shift to right

Answer 17

Shift to left
-Increase in bands = acute infection
-Increase some leukemia and pernicious anemia
Shift to right
-Increase in mature neutrophils; seen in diseases of liver