Module 6: Diagnostic values and specimen collection

Question 1

Coughing is classified according to

Answer 1

The time the patient most frequently coughs

Question 2

Patients with chronic sinusitis make cough only when during the day?

Answer 2

Early morning or immediately after rising from sleep

Question 3

When a patient has a cough it is important to determine its frequency and whether it is productive or nonproductive. Describe a productive cough

Answer 3

Result in sputum production, material coughed up from the lungs that may be swallowed or expectorated

Question 4

What is hematocrit (Hct)? What do you mean if it is low or high? What are the normal ranges?

Answer 4

represents the % of RBCs in the total blood volume.
count is low, it could mean that the iron level is low; a high count could be due to dehydration or other condition.
The normal range for men is 42-52% and for women is 37-47%.

Question 5

What is the hemoglobin test done for? Normal range?

Answer 5

the protein that holds the oxygen and the test is a good indication of the blood’s ability to carry oxygen throughout the body. The normal range for men is (Canadian values 132- 173) 13.5-18 g/dL and for women is (Canadian Values 117 – 161) 12-16 g/dL.

Question 6

What is the function of platelets?

Answer 6

has a major role in clotting; when bleeding occurs, the platelets swell, clump together, and form a sticky plug that helps stop the bleeding.

Question 7

What are the coagulation test used to measure?

Answer 7

The bloods ability to clot and how long it takes to clot.
Patients who may need coagulation tests are:
Patients with DVT, PE, MI, A-fib, and undergoing dialysis
Patients on anticoagulants (warfarin, heparin, clotting factor inhibitors)

Question 8

What does Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)

Answer 8

evaluates the blood for its ability to clot – prolonged in patients on heparin therapy, hemophilia, liver disease, and deficiency of factor I, II, V, VIII, IX, X, XI, and XII.

Question 9

What does Prothrombin Time (PT) evaluate?

Answer 9

evaluates the blood for its ability to clot
– prolonged in patients with liver disease, warfarin therapy, vitamin K deficiency, and deficiency of factor I, II, V, VII, and X.

Question 10

What is International Normalize Ratio (INR) used for?

Answer 10

used to standardize the PT test, regardless of location or testing method.

Question 11

What is PT (prothrombin time)?

Answer 11

The time in seconds for the fibrin clot to form

Measures function of the tissue factor (extrinsic) and common pathways

Question 12

What does the total serum protein indicate

Answer 12

Measures all the proteins in total blood volume, checks amount of albumin compared to globulin in A/G ratio

Question 13

What is the function of albumin? Globulin?

Answer 13

Albumin: Carries medicine and hormones throughout the body that helps with tissue growth and healing
Globulin: Groups of proteins, help fight infections and transport nutrients

Question 14

If total protein is high, what is that indicative of

Answer 14

Chronic infection or inflammation (i.e. HIV, viral hepatitis)
early sign of bone marrow disorder

Question 15

Total protein is low, what is that indicative of

Answer 15

Liver or kidney disorder
Digestive disorder (I.e. celiac) malnutrition

Question 16

If A/G ratio (normally >1) is high, what is that indicative of

Answer 16

Genetic deficiencies

leukemia

Question 17

If A/G ratio (normally >1) is LOW, what is that indicative of

Answer 17

Autoimmune disorder
Kidney disease
Liver cirrhosis

Question 18

Liver function tests are done to measure what?

Answer 18

specific enzymes and proteins in the blood – levels of these enzymes or proteins can indicate liver problems.

Question 19

what is Alanine transaminase (ALT) ? Increased levels may be a sign of what?

Answer 19

used by the body to metabolize protein

​Increased ALT levels can be a sign of liver damage.

Question 20

What is Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ?

Answer 20

enzyme also found in other parts of the body; often measured together with ALT to check for liver damage.
​Increased AST levels may indicate problems with the liver

Question 21

What is bilirubin? High level indicates ?

Answer 21

Waste product from RBC breakdown, processed by the liver

high bilirubin level indicates the liver is not functioning

Question 22

What is the main function of sodium?

Answer 22

Greatest influence on ECF fluid, osmotic concentration, and water balance
Needed for nerve impulse and muscle contraction

Question 23

What is hyponatremia?

Answer 23

Direct loss of sodium from the body or from excess water in the extracellular compartment

Question 24

What is hypernatremia?

Answer 24

Excess of sodium level in the blood and ECF

Question 25

What is main function of potassium?

Answer 25

major electrolyte and principal cation in the intracellular compartment.
Glycogen deposit in the liver and skeletal muscle, transmission and conduction of nerve impulses, normal cardiac conduction, skeletal and smooth muscle contraction

Question 26

Calcium is important for

Answer 26

Bone and teeth formation, blood clots, hormone secretion, cell membrane integrity, cardiac conduction, nerve impulse and muscle contraction

Question 27

What is culture and sensitivity used for?

Answer 27

Culture - Used to identify the presence of pathogen’s that are capable of causing infections
Sensitivity – used to see which kind of antibiotic will serve best to treat infection

Question 28

What does SBAR stand for?

Answer 28

Situation, background, assessment, recommendation

Question 29

*The sputum culture and sensitivity test is used to

Answer 29

Identify a specific microorganism growing the sputum and to identify drug resistance and sensitivities

Question 30

What is the sputum for acid-fast bacillus used for?

Answer 30

To screen presence of acid fast bacilli (AFB) for detecting pulmonary tuberculosis; early morning sample required on 3 consecutive days.

Question 31

What is sputum for cytology used for

Answer 31

to identify abnormal cancer and different types of cancer cells.

Question 32

How should you collect sputum?

Answer 32

• Sputum should be the result of a deep cough, not saliva
• Patient should cough sputum directly into the sterile container
• Collect an early morning specimen before breakfast