Test 2: A-M Definitions Flashcards
ABO Blood Group System
Four blood types, A, B, AB, and O, based on the presence or absence of two antigens identified as A and B.
Accession Number
A number generated by the laboratory information system (LIS) when the specimen request is entered into the computer.
Accession
The process of recording in the order received.
Acidosis
A dangerous condition in which the pH of the blood is abnormally low (acidic).
ACT
Activated clotting time
Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT of PTT)
Test used to evaluate the function of the intrinsic coagulation pathway and monitor heparin therapy.
Additive
A substance (other than the tube stopper or coating) such as an anticoagulant, antiglycolytic agent, separator gel, preservative, or clot activator places within a tube or collection container. An additive can be a liquid, powder, or spray-dried coating.
Aerobic
With air.
Aerosol
A fine mist of the specimen.
AFP (Alpha-Fetoprotein)
An antigen normally present in the human fetus that is also found in amniotic fluid and maternal serum. It is also present in certain pathological conditions in males and nonpregnant females.
Airborne Precautions
Precautions used in addition to standard precautions for patients known or suspected of being infected with microorganisms transmitted by airborne droplet nuclei.
Aliquot
A portion of a specimen used for testing.
Alkalosis
A dangerous condition in which the pH of the blood is abnormally high (alkaline).
Amniotic Fluid
Clear, almost colorless to pale-yellow fluid that fills the membrane (amnion or amniotic sac) surrounding and cushioning a fetus in the uterus.
Anabolism
A constructive process by which the body converts simple compounds into complex substances needed to carry our the cellular activities of the body.
Anaerobic
Without air.
Analyte
A general term for a substance undergoing analysis.
Anchor
To secure firmly, as in holding a vein in place by pulling the skin taut with the thumb.
Anemia
An abnormal reduction in the number of red blood cells (RBCs) in the circulating blood.
Antecubital Fossa
The area of the arm that is anterior to (in front of) and below the bend of the elbow, where the major veins for venipuncture are located.
Antecubital Veins
Major superficial veins located in the antecubital fossa.
Antibody
Protein substance manufactured by the body in response to a foreign protein or antigen and directed against it.
Anticoagulent
A substance that prevents blood from clotting.
Antigen
A substance that causes the formation of antibodies directed against it.
Antiglycolytic Agent
A substance that prevents glycolysis, the breakdown or metabolism of glucose (blood sugar) by blood cells - e.g., sodium fluoride.
Antimicrobial Removal Device (ARD)
Blood culture bottle containing a resin that removes antimicrobials (antibiotics) from a blood specimen.
Antimicrobial Therapy
Use of antibiotics to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms.
Antiseptics
A substance that inhibits the growth of bacteria and is used to clean the skin.
Aorta
The largest artery in the body, arising from the left ventricle of the heart; it is approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter.
Arteries
Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.
Arterioles
The smallest branches of arteries, which join with the capillaries.
Arteriovenous (AV) Shunt
Surgical fusion or artificial connection of an artery and a vein. It is typically created to provide access for dialysis; included AV fistula and graft.
ASAP
As soon as possible.
Aseptic
Sterile or pathogen-free.
Atria
The upper receiving chambers on each side of the heart.
Bactermia
Bacteria in the blood.
Barcode
A series of black stripes and white spaces of varying widths that correspond to letters and numbers.
Barrel
A term for the cylindrical body of a syringe, which has graduated markings in either milliliters (mL) or cubic centimeters (cc).
Basal State
The resting metabolic state of the body early in the morning after fasting for a minimum of 12 hours.
Basilic Vein
Large vein on the inner side of the antecubital area that is the last choice vein for venipuncture.
Basophils (basos)
Normally the least numerous WBCs, they release histamine and heparin, which enhance the inflammatory response; identified by their large dark blue- staining granules, which often obscure a typically S-shaped nucleus.
Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP)
Term applied to infectious microorganisms in blood or other body fluids.
Bedside Manner
The behavior of a healthcare provider toward or as perceived by a patient.
Bevel
The point of a needle that is cut on a slant for ease of skin entry.
Bilirubin
A product of the breakdown of red blood cells.
Biohazard
Short for biological hazard; anything potentially harmful to health.
Biosafety
Term used to describe the safe handling of biologic substances that pose a risk to health.
Breach of Confidentiality
Failure to keep privileged medical information private.
BT
Bleeding time test.
B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)
Cardiac hormone produced by the heart in response to ventricular volume expansion and pressure overload.
Buccal Swabs
Swabs of material collected from the inside of the cheek.
Butterfly
Another term for a winged infusion set.
Culture and Sensitivity (C&S)
Microbiology test that includes placing a specimen on special nutrient media which encourages the growth of microorganisms, identifying any that grow, and then performing sensitivity/antibiotic susceptibility testing to identify antibiotics that will be effective against them.
Calcaneous
Medical term for heel bone.
Capillaries
Microscopic one-cell-thick vessels that connect the arterioles and venules, forming a bridge between the arterial and venous circulations.
Carry-Over
Cross-contamination or transfer of additive from one tube to the next.
Catabolism
The process by which complex substances are broken down into simple ones, including the digestion of food.
Catheterized
Term describing a urine specimen collected from a sterile catheter inserted through the urethra into the bladder.
CBGs
Capillary blood gases (CBGs); blood gas determinations performed on arterialized capillary specimens.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The division of the U.S. Public Health Service charged with the investigation and control of disease with epidemic potential.
Central Processing
Screening and prioritizing area where specimens are received and prepared for testing.
Centrifuge
A machine that spins the blood tubes at a high number of revolutions per minute.
Cephalic Vein
The second choice antecubital vein for venipuncture, located in the lateral aspect of the antecubital fossa.
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
Clear, colorless liquid that circulates within the cavities surrounding the brain and spinal cord; it has many of the same components as plasma.
Certification
Evidence that an individual has mastered fundamental competencies in a particular technical area.
Chain of Custody
Special strict protocol for forensic specimens that requires detailed documentation tracking the specimen from the time it is collected until the results are reported.
Chain of Infection
A number of components or events that, when present in a series, lead to an infection.
Clean Catch
Method of obtaining a urine sample so that it is free of contamination from the external genital area.
Clot Activator
A substance that enhances the coagulation process.
Coagulation
The blood clotting process.
Communicable
Able to spread from person to person, as a disease.
Concentric Circles
Circles with a common center; starting from the center and moving outward in ever widening arcs.
Confidentiality
The ethical cornerstone of professional behavior; the practice of regarding information concerning a patient as privileged and not to be disclosed to anyone without the patient’s authorization.
Contact Precautions
Precautions used in addition to standard precautions when a patient is known or suspected of being infected or colonized with epidemiologically important microorganisms that can be transmitted by direct contact with the patient or indirect contact with surfaces or patient care items.
Contact Transmissions
Transfer of an infectious agent to a susceptible host through direct or indirect contact.
Coronary Arteries
Arteries that branch off of the aorta just beyond the aortic semilunar valve that deliver blood to the heart muscle.
C-Reactive Protein
A beta globulin found in the blood that responds to inflammation and therefore can be used as a sensitive though nonspecific marker of systemic inflammation.
CPD
Citrate-phosphate-dextrose, an additive used in collecting units of blood for transfusion. Citrate prevents clotting by chelating calcium, phosphate stabilizes pH, and dextrose provides cells with energy ad helps keep them alive.
Crossmatch
A test to determine suitability of mixing donor and recipient blood.
Cyanotic
Marked by cyanosis or a bluish color from lack of oxygen.
Data
Information collected for analysis of computation.
Delta Check
Comparison of current results of a lab test with previous results for the same test on the same patient.
Differential (Diff)
A test in which the number, type, and characteristics of blood cells are determined by examining a stained blood smear under a microscope.
Direct-Contact Transmission
Transfer of an infectious agent to a susceptible host though close or intimate contact, such as touching or kissing.
Discard Tube
Also called a clear tube; a tube used to collect and discard approximately 5 mL of blood to prevent IV or tissue fluid contamination of a specimen.
Disinfectants
Substance or solution used to remove or kill microorganisms on surfaces and instruments.
Distal
Farthest from the center of the body, origin, or point of attachment.
Diurnal
Happening daily.
DNR
Do not resuscitate.
Dot
Department of Transportation
Droplet Precautions
Precautions used in addition to standard precautions for patients known or suspected of being infected with microorganisms transmitted by droplets (particles larger than 5 micro meters) generated when a patient talks, coughs, or sneezes and during certain procedures such as suctioning.
Droplet Transmissions
Transfer of an infectious agent to the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, or conjunctiva of the eyes via infectious droplets (particles 5 micro meters in diameter or larger) generated by talking, coughing, sneezing of during procedures such as suctioning.
Drug Screening
The practice of testing employees’ or athletes’ urine or blood to screen for illicit or illegal drugs.
Due Care
The level of care that a person of ordinary intelligence and good sense would exercise under the given circumstances.
Edema
swelling due to abnormal acumulation of fluid in the tissues
EDTA
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, an anticoagulant that prevents coagulation by binding or chelating calcium; it is used for hematology studies because it preserves cell morphology and inhibits platelet clumping
Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG)
An actual record of the electrical currents corresponding to each event in heart muscle contraction
electrolytes
substances such as potassium or sodium that conduct electricity when dissolved in water
endocardium
the thin inner layer of the heart
enter key
button on keyboard for data input
eosinophils (EOS)
WBCs that ingest and detoxify foreign protein, helping to turn off immune reactions; they increase with allergies and pinworm infesations and are identified by their beadlike, bright orange-red staining granules
Epicardium
The thin outer layer of the heart
Epidermis
The outermost and thinnest layer of the skin
Epithelium
The avascular layer of cells that forms the epidermis and the surface layer of mucous and serous membranes
Erythema
Redness
Erythrocytes
RBCs; anuclear, diskpshaped blood cells whose main function is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissue cells and to transport carbon dioxide away from the cells to the lungs
Ethanol (ETOH)
Abbreviation for ethanol or blood alcohol; ethyl or grain alcohol
Evacuated Tube System (ETS)
A closed system in which the patients blood flows directly into a collection tube through a needle inserted into the vein
Evacuated Tubes
Type of tube used in blood colelction that has a premeasured vacuum and is color-coded to denote the additive inside
Exocrine Glands
Glands that secrete substances through ducts
Expectorate
Spit; the act of forcibly ejecting saliva or other substances from the mouth
Exsanguinate/Exsanguination
To remove all blood/blood loss to a point where life cannot be sustained
External
on or near the surface of the body; superficial
Fasting
no food or drink except water for approximately 12 hours
Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)
A test that detects hidden (ocult) blood in stool (feces)
Femoral Artery
Large artery located superficially in the groin, lateral to the pubic bone; it is the largest artery used for arterial puncture.
Fibrinogen
Also called factor I; a protein found in plasma that is essential for the clotting of blood
Fibrinolysis
Stage 4 of hemostasis; a process that results in the removal or dissolution of a blood clot once healing has occured
Flanges
Extensions on the sides of an evacuated tube holder that aid in tube placement and removal
Flea
Small metal bar that is inserted into the tube after collectino of a capillary blood gas specimen to aid in mixing that anticoagulant by means of a magnet
Gauge
A number that relates to the diameter of the lumen of a needle
Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)
A test used to diagnose carbohydrate metabolism problems
Glycolysis
The breakdown or metabolism of glucose (blood sugar) by blood cells
Glycosylated Hemoglobin
A substance that is increased in the RBCs of patients with diabetes mellitus and used as a retrospective index of glucose control over time
Gonads
Glands that manufacture and store gametes and produce hormones that regulate the reproductive process
Great Saphenous Vein
The longest vein in the body, located in the leg
Guaiac Test
A test for hidden blood in feces; also called occult blood test
Hardware
Computer equipment used to process data
HBV
Hepatitis B Virus; the virus that causes hepatitis B
Hematocrit (HCT)
percentage by volume of red blood cells in whole blood
Hematoma
A wswelling or mass of blood (often clotted) such as that caused by blood leaking from a blood vessel during or following venipuncture
Hemoconcentration
A decrease in the fluid content of the blood, with a subsequent increase in nonfilterable large molecule- or protein-based blood components such as red blood cells
Hemoglobin
An iron-containing pigment in RBCs that enables them to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide and also gives them their red color
hemolysis/hemolyzed
damage or destruction of RBCs adn release of hemoglobin into the fluid portion of a speciment, causing the serum color to range from pink (slight hemolysis) to red (gross hemolysis)/The condition of serum or plasma that contains hemoglobin from broken RBCs
Hemopoiesis
Production and development of blood cells and other formed elements, normally in the boen marrow
Hemostasis
Process by which the body stops the leakage of blood from the vascular system after injury; also known as the coagulation process
hemostatic plug
blood clot formed from blood cells and platelets trapped in a network of fibrin strands
Heparin lock
a catheter or cannuila with a stopcock or cap and a diaphragm to provide access for administering medication or drawing blood
Heparin
Anticoagulant that prevents clotting by inhibiting thrombin formation
HIPAA
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act - Requires all healthcare providers to obtain a patients consent in writing before disclosing medical information such as a patients test results, treatment or condition to any unauthorized person
Histologic
Pertaining to the microscopic structure of tissue
HMOs
Health maintenance organizations; group practices reimbursed on a prepaid, negotiated, and discounted basis of admission
homeostasis
The “steady state” (state of equilibrium or balance) of the internal environment of the body, which is maintained through feedback and regulation in response to internal and external changes
Hormones
powerful chemical substances that affect many body process
Hospice
A type of care for patients who are terminally ill
HUB
the end of the needle tha attaches to the blood collection device; also the threaded end of a tube holder where the needle attaches
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)
Hormone that appears in both urine and serum beginning approximately 10 days after conception. HCG is the substance detected in pregnancy tests
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
The virus that causes AIDS
Hypodermic Needle
The type of needle used with the syringe system
Hypothyroidism
A disorder characterized by insufficient levels of thyroid hormones
HyperKalemia
A high concentration of potassium in the blood
HypoKalemia
A low concentration of potassium in the blood
Hypoxemia
A low level of oxygen in the blood
Hypernatremia
A high level of sodium in the blood
Hyponatremia
A low level of sodium in the blood
Hypersecretion
Secreting too much
Hyposecretion
Secreting too little
Iatrogenic
An adjective used to describe an adverse condition brought on by the effects of treatment
Icteric/Icterus
A term meaning “marked by jaundice”; used to describe serum, plasma, or urine specimens that have an abnormal deep-yellow to yellow-brown color due to high billirubin levels/Also called jaundice; a condition characerized by a hgigh bilirubin (a product of the breakdown of red blood cells) level in the blood, leading to desposits of yellow bile pigment in the skin, mucous membranes, and sclerae *whites of the eyes), giving the patient a yelllow appearance
ID band/Bracelet
Identification band/bracelet
Immune
protected from or resistant to a particular disease or infection because of the devolopment of antibody though vaccination or recovery from the disease
Indwelling line
another name for central venous catheter (CVC)
infection
Invasion of the body by a pathogenic microorganism, resulting in injurious effects or disease
infectious agent
the pathogen responsible for causing an infection, also called a causative agent
inferior
beneath, lower, or away from the head, also called caudal
INR
international normalized ratio
Integument
covering or skin
interstitial fluid
fluid in the tissues spaces between the cells
inflammation
tissue reaction to injury, such as redness or swelling
informed consent
implies coluntary and competent permission for a medical procedure, test, or medication
intravascular
within the blood vessels
intravenous line
a catheter inserted into a vein to administer fluids and simply referred to as an IV
isolation procedures
procedures intended to separate patients with certain transmissible infections from contact with others
jaundice
also called icterus, a condition characterized by increased bilirubin 9 a product of the breakdown of red blood cells) in the blood, leading to the deposition of yellow bile pigment in the skin, mucous membranes, and sclarae (whites of the eyes) giving the patient a yellow appearance
Joint Commission on the accredidation of healthcare organizations (JCAHO)
a voluntary, nongovernmental agency, presently referred to as the Joint Commission, charged with (among other things) established standards for the operation of healcare facilities and services
K+
Potassium
Kidneys
organs that form and excrete urine
kinesics/kinesics slip
The study of nonverbal communication/ when the verbal and nonberbal messages do not match
lancet
A sterile, disposable, sharp=pointed or bladed instrument that either punctures or makes an incision in the skin to obtain capillary blood specimens for testing
leukocyte
WHC, nucleus-containign blood cels whose main function is to combat infection and remove disintegrated tissue
leukopenia
an abnormal decrease of WBV in the circulating blood
lipemia/lipemic
increased lipid content in the blood/describing serum or plasma that appears milky (cloudy white) or turbid due to high lipid content
lis
laboratory information system
liver
accessory organ of the digestive system the stores glycogen, detoxifies harmful substances, secretes bile, and breaks down protein
luer adapter
in the luer-lok system, a device for connecting the syringe to the needle, when locked into place, it ensures a secure fit
lumen
the inner space of a blood vessel or tube
lymphocyte
normally the second most numerous WBV and the most numerous agranulocytes. Two main types of lymocytes are T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes
Lysis/Lyse
Rupturing, as in the bursting of red blood cells/to kill or destroy, as in ruptred rs
malpractice
a type of negligence committed by a professional
mastectomy
breast excision or removal
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
a written document containing general information as wella s precautionary and emergency information for any product with a hazardous warnign on the label
medial
toward the midline or middle
median cubital vein
the preferred vein for venipuncture, located in the middle of the anticubital fossa
median cutaneous nerve
a major motor and sensory nerve in the arm that lies along the path of the brachial artery and near the basilic vein
medical terminology
special vocabulary of the health professions
metabolism
the sum of all the physical and chemical reactions necesary to sustain life
microbe
short for microorganism; a microscopic organism or one that is not visible tot he naked eye
microclot
a tiny clot or thrombus that may not be visible to the naked eye
microcollection container
small plastic tubes used to collect the tiny amounts of blood obtained from capillary punctures; also called capillary tubes and microtubes and sometimes referred to as bullets bacause of their size and shape
microhematocrit tubes
disposable, narrow-bore plastic or plastic clad glass capillary tubes that fill by capillary action
midstream
term applied to urine collection in which the speciment is collected in the middle of urination rather than at the beginning or end
military time
also called european time, based on a clock with 24 numbers isntead of 12, eliminating the need to designate am or pm
mnemonic
memory-aiding code or abbreviation, as used in LIS, for example
monocyte
normally the largest WBC and 1% to 7% of total WBC, they are mononuclear phagocytic cells and among the first lines of defense in the inflammatory process
MR number
Medical record number used for patient ID
multisample needle
a type of needle that allows multiple tubes to be collected with a single venipuncture
myocardial infarction (MI)
heart attact or necrosis (death) of heart muscle from lack of oxygen
