LAB 27 STUDYGUIDE

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering Point-of-Care (POC) testing, CLIA regulations, common clinical assays, and blood glucose monitoring techniques based on Pharmacy Labs for Technicians - Lab 27.

Point-of-Care (POC) Testing

Medical testing performed outside a traditional laboratory, at the time and place where a patient receives care.

Point-of-Care Testing Locations

Locations where testing can be performed, including a patient's bedside, physician's office, ambulance, home, mobile/remote clinic, or ambulatory/community pharmacy.

Healthcare Movement of POC Testing

The healthcare movement toward preventive care and early disease detection.

CLIA

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments.

Purpose of CLIA

To establish safe standards for clinical laboratory testing and help prevent patient harm or death from inaccurate test results.

CLIA Federal Standards Scope

Applies to U.S. laboratory testing of human specimens used to assess health or diagnose, prevent, or treat disease.

CLIA-Waived Test

A test exempt from many standard CLIA requirements because it is simple and has a low risk of inaccurate results.

Criteria for CLIA-Waived Tests

A test must be simple to perform and have a low probability of producing inaccurate results.

Origin of CLIA (1988)

Created in 1988 after multiple deaths were linked to inaccurate test results, leading to stronger regulation of clinical testing.

POC Testing CLIA-Waived Status

Many POC tests are CLIA-waived, including certain systems approved by the FDA for home use.

Pharmacist Role in CLIA-Waived Testing

An increasing role in testing because pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare providers.

Primary Objective of POC Testing

To provide rapid results so healthcare staff can make faster and more effective triage and treatment decisions.

Patient Involvement via POC Testing

Allows patients to perform some tests themselves, monitor their health, and participate more actively in healthcare decisions.

Common Home POC Testing Devices

Blood glucose monitors, thermometers, and home pregnancy tests.

Outpatient POC Infectious-Disease Tests

Rapid influenza tests and rapid strep tests.

Community Pharmacies as POC Sites

Ideal locations because they are accessible and allow pharmacy staff to help patients monitor conditions and improve medication therapy.

POC Testing in Medication Therapy Management

Provides test results that can help pharmacy staff monitor treatment effectiveness and identify potential medication-related problems.

Adverse Drug Event Prevention via POC Testing

Provides health information that can reveal problems with medication therapy before serious complications occur.

Pharmacy POC Testing Accessibility

Benefits patients who do not have regular primary care because community pharmacies are highly accessible to patients who may not regularly visit a physician or hospital.

Activated Clotting Time Test

A test used to monitor heparin therapy, generally performed by healthcare professionals in a hospital.

Blood Glucose POC Test

A test that measures the patient's immediate blood glucose level.

Blood Glucose POC Test Administration

Can be performed by a patient or healthcare provider, commonly in a home or clinic.

Cholesterol/Lipids Panel

A screening panel used for measuring cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Dipstick Urinalysis

A screening and monitoring test used for conditions involving the kidneys and urinary tract.

POC Drug Abuse Screening

Testing used to screen for the use of various illicit drugs or drug products.

Fecal Occult Blood Test

A screening test used to detect colorectal cancer.

Hemoglobin A1c Test

A test that measures the patient's average blood glucose level over approximately the previous 2-3 months.

Hemoglobin/Hematocrit POC Testing

POC testing commonly used to screen for anemia.

Oxygen Saturation

A measurement that assesses the body's oxygen delivery/oxygenation.

Pulse Oximetry

Another name for an oxygen saturation test, often called a pulse-ox.

PT/INR

Prothrombin Time / International Normalized Ratio.

PT/INR Clinical Use

Commonly used to monitor Warfarin anticoagulant therapy.

Diabetes

A condition caused by the body's inability to produce enough insulin or use insulin effectively.

Glucometer

A device used by patients with diabetes to monitor blood glucose levels and determine whether their diabetes treatment is controlling glucose adequately.

Blood Glucose Testing Frequency Factors

Factors including diabetes type, how well it is controlled, medication/insulin therapy, and the healthcare provider's recommendations.

Blood Glucose Impact on Insulin Therapy

Test results that may be used to determine or adjust a patient's daily insulin dose.

Consistency in Glucose Monitor Usage

The practice of using one main monitor because different glucose monitors can produce slightly different results.

Glucose Monitor Reading Variance

Readings between different monitors may differ by up to about 20 points according to the text.

Documentation of Blood Glucose Results

The method of grouping results by testing condition, such as fasting, post-meal, and bedtime, so similar readings can be compared.

Response to Abnormal Glucose Readings

Reviewing the testing procedure, correcting possible errors, and repeating the test; if repeated results remain abnormal, contacting a healthcare provider.

Causes of Inaccurate Blood Glucose Readings

Unwashed hands, wet alcohol on the test site, an expired test strip, or an incorrectly calibrated/used meter.

Rotation of Blood Glucose Testing Sites

The practice of alternating lancet sites because repeatedly using the same area can cause bruising and callus formation.

Fingertip Center Sensitivity

High sensitivity and discomfort caused by the numerous nerve endings located in the fingertips.

Recommended Lancet Site

The outside/side of the fingertip, used to reduce discomfort rather than repeatedly using the most sensitive central fingertip area.