Unit 3 Diagnostic Testing Definitions Flashcards
Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT)
Coagulation blood test used to detect bleeding disorders caused by abnormalities of the intrinsic clotting system and to monitor the effectiveness of heparin.
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
An enzyme found primarily in the liver and also found in the kidneys, heart, and skeletal muscles.
Albumin
The major plasma protein, primarily responsible for maintaining fluid balance by providing colloidal osmotic pressure in the blood.
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
An enzyme found primarily in the liver levels, which is a useful indicator of liver and bone disease.
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)
A diagnostic test that examines arterial blood to assess a patient’s oxygenation stats and acid-base balance.
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)
An enzyme found primarily in the heart, liver, and muscle that is released after cell death or injury.
Basic Metabolic Panel
A commonly ordered diagnostic test that measures electrolytes, carbon dioxide ,glucose, and renal function.
Basophils
A type of white blood cell that is involved in the inflammatory response to injury.
Bilirubin
A component of bile that is synthesized in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow.
Biopsy
Removal of a sample of cells to detect cancer.
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
A kidney function test that measures urea in the blood.
Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)
A hormone produced by myocardial cells and released from the ventricle during times of increased pressure or overload such as in heart failure.
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
A protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation, tissue damage, and infection.
Cholesterol
A waxy, fatlike substance found in all cells of the body.
Computed Tomography (CT)
A radiologic procedure in which the use of a special scanner allows cross-sectional images of an organ to be visualized.
Creatine Kinase (CK)
An enzyme found primarily in skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, brain tissue.
Creatinine
A waste product of skeletal muscle metabolism that is excreted via the kidneys.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
A recording of electrical current generated by the heart during depolarization and repolarization of the cardiac muscle.
Endoscopy
An examination of the interior of an organ or cavity by means of a fiberoptic scope.
Eosinophils
A type of white blood cell that destroys parasites and is involved in allergic reactions.
Erythrocytes
Red blood cells
Fiberoptics
A system in which flexible glass or plastic fibers are used to transmit light around curves and corners, which allows direct visualization of hte area of interest
Fibrinogen
An essential component of blood clottin that converts into fibrin threads in the presence of ionized calcium.
Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGTP)
An enzyme found primarily in the liver and biliary tract that assists in transporting amino acids across cell membranes.
Globulins
Plasma proteins classified as alpha, beta, and gamma globulins; some function as antibodies, whereas others are responsible for enzymatic functions and the transport of lipids, iron, and copper in the blood.
Hemoccult
A test for hidden blood in the stool.
Hemoglobin (HBG)
A protein responsible for oxygen transport to and carbon dioxide transport from the erythrocytes.
Hemolysis
Red blood cell destruction.
High-Density Lioprotein (HDL)
A lipoprotein that transports excess cholesterol from the tissues back to the liver, where it is broken down and excreted in bile.
Homocysteine
An amino acid formed in the conversion of methionine to cysteine.
International Normalized Ratio (INR)
A coagulation blood test that is a standardized ratio to monitor the effect of anticoagulant therapy.
Leukocytes
White blood cells
Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
A lipoprotein that transports cholesterol from the liver to various parts of the body.
Lymphocytes
A type of white blood cell that recognizes foreign antigens, produces antibodies, and creates memory cells.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
A superconducting magnet and radiofrequency waves cause hydrogen nuclei to emit signals that are translated by a computer into a well-defined image of the structure.
Mammograms
Soft tissue x-rays that allow visualization of the underlying breast tissue.
Monocytes
A type of white blood cell involved in phagocytosis; they become macrophages.
Myoglobin
An oxygen-transporting and storage protein found in cardiac and skeletal muscle.
Neutrophils
A type of white blood cell that acts as first defenders against bacterial and fungal infections, foreign antigens, and cell debris.
Paracentesis
A needle aspiration that involves removing fluid from the peritoneal cavity.
Prealbumin
A plasma protein synthesized by the liver and considered a precise measure of nutritional status.
Prothrombin Time (PT)
A coagulation blood test that detects bleeding disorders caused by abnormalities of the extrinsic clotting system, and used to monitor the effectiveness of anticoagulant therapy.
Radiography
The use of x-rays to visualize bones, organs, and soft tissues for abnormalities.
Steatorrhea
Fecal Fat.
Thoracentesis
A needle aspiration that removes fluid from the pleural space.
Thrombocytes
Platelets
Triglycerides
The most abundant lipids in food.
Troponin I
Proteins found exclusively in cardiac muscle and released during myocardial damage.
Troponin T
Proteins found exclusively in cardiac muscle and released during myocardial damage.
Ultrasound
A procedure that provides visualization of soft tissue organs by recording and measuring the reflection of ultrasonic waves.
Urobilinogen
Substance produced by the breakdown of bilirubin in the intestines.
Venipuncture
Insertion of a needle directly into a vein.
