Pathology/Laboratory Studies Flashcards
The study of disease, and the causes and effects of disease.
pathology
Medical doctor with additional training in the study of disease. Works behind the scenes to identify or confirm a diagnosis through the study of samples of tissue, blood, urine, and other fluids.
pathologist
The description of a tissue sample without the use of a microscope. May describe the overall appearance, size, shape, weight, color, and texture of the sample.
gross pathology
Study of tissues under a microscope
histopathology
(Histopathology) A fine needle is used to remove cells for examination.
fine-needle aspiration or fine-needle biopsy
(Histopathology) The entire lesion is removed and examined.
excisional biopsy
The study of cells of a sample, looking for cellular alterations to diagnose a disease. For example, studying a sample from a tumor biopsy to diagnose cancer.
cytopathology (cytology)
A process of analyzing cells suspended in solution as they pass through lasers to measure their fluorescence. Particularly useful in measuring immune response to infectious disease and cancer.
flow cytometry
An organism is grown within a lab specimen and then tested to see which antibiotics prove effective against it.
culture and sensitivity (C&S, C and S)
The pathologist’s opinion and findings after examination of a specimen.
pathology report
A procedure in which a sample of blood, urine, or tissue in the body is analyzed for certain features.
laboratory test
A range of values considered to be “normal” in healthy people.
reference range
Examination of urine to screen for infection or disease.
urinalysis (UA)
Observation of the urine for color and clarity and any sediment seen by the naked eye.
macroscopic examination
Observation of traits using a chemically treated stick pad that is dipped briefly into the urine sample and read according to colors in a reference chart to indicate a positive or negative result.
dipstick examination
The concentration of particles in the urine. The ratio of the density of any substance to the density of some other substance taken as standard, water being the standard for liquids and solids, and hydrogen or air being the standard for gases.
specific gravity
A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance; abbreviation for potential hydrogen.
pH
Molecules that help the body carry out vital functions. Usually found in the blood and only in small amounts in the urine.
protein
A type of sugar that is used to provide energy to the cells.
glucose
Develop when the body uses fat instead of glucose for energy production.
ketones
A type of chemical produced when bacteria are present in the urinary system.
nitrites
A substance produced when the body breaks down red blood cells. It is not usually found in the urine. The second is produced from the breakdown of the first.
bilirubin and urobilinogen
Produced by leukocytes; indicates that white blood cells could be present in urine, signaling an infection.
leukocyte esterase
Observing the urine under a microscope for chemical and cellular properties not able to be observed with the naked eye, such as bacteria, red or white blood cells, proteins, casts, or crystals.
microscopic examination
The study of the anatomy and characteristics of blood, and blood-forming tissue.
hematology
Enumerates elements in the blood, including white cells, red cells, and platelets.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
MCH
mean corpuscular hemoglobin
MCHC
mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration
MCV
mean corpuscular volume
RDW
red [blood cell] distribution width
Reports white blood cells into their various subtypes as a percentage.
differential
Also called a chemistry panel. A group of specific tests that provide information about the patient’s kidneys, electrolyte balance, blood sugar, and calcium levels.
Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)
A set of 14 tests, including the BMP as well as liver function studies.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Inorganic elements that the body and cells need to function. They assist in the production of enzymes and hormones. Keep our muscles, bones, heart, and brain healthy.
minerals
Minerals that have an electrical charge (positive or negative). They help regulate fluid balance within the body, regulate acid-base balance, move nutrients into our cells, and move wastes from our cells.
electrolytes
Measures the acid-base balance (pH balance) of your blood. It is a calculation that compares the levels of positively and negatively charged electrolytes to determine if blood is too acidic or not acidic enough.
anion gap
Indicates the status of carbohydrate metabolism and utilization (the amount of sugar in the blood).
blood glucose
Waste product from protein metabolism. Urea nitrogen is a waste product that your kidneys remove from your blood. Elevated _____ levels may indicate that the kidneys are not functioning properly.
blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Formed from the breakdown of creatine phosphate, which supplies energy to the muscles. _____ is produced by the muscles just with our daily activities and is filtered by the kidneys and excreted in the urine. An elevated level may also be an indicator of kidney dysfunction.
creatinine
Blood tests that measure different enzymes, proteins, and other substances made by the liver. Can be used to diagnose infections, metastatic disease, obstruction, and the overall health of the liver.
liver function tests (LFTs)
Element required to make hemoglobin and necessary in the production of myoglobin (storage protein used by the muscles to bind and transport oxygen in the body).
Iron
Can be caused by low iron levels.
anemia
Can be caused by high iron levels.
damage to the heart, liver, and pancreas
Inherited condition where the body creates too much iron.
hemochromatosis
The exact amount of iron in the blood.
iron or “serum iron”
The amount of iron stored in the body.
ferritin
A protein that transports iron from the intestines to cells.
transferrin
Measures the ability of transferrin to carry iron in the blood.
total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)
Measures fat or fatty substances that are found in blood and stored in tissues.
lipid panel (or lipid profile)
Protein produced by the thyroid gland that is broken down into T3 and T4.
thyroglobulin
T4 or free T4.
thyroxine
T3 or free T3.
triiodothyronine
A hormone produced by the pituitary gland which stimulates production of thyroxine and triiodothyronine.
thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Evaluates ability of blood to clot properly.
PT (prothrombin time)
Used with PT to evaluate the function of all clotting factors in the blood.
PTT (partial thromboplastin time)
Used to monitor the effectiveness of blood thinning drugs such as warfarin (Coumadin).
INR (intentional normalized ratio)
The result of growing an organism in a nutrient medium for examination under the microscope. Used to identify the type and sites of bacteria, fungi, or other microorganisms.
cultures
