Key terms chapter 9

lipids

Fats and fatlike substances the body uses for energy.

venous stasis

Stagnation of normal blood flow.

vasovagal

Relating to vagus nerve action on blood vessels.

VADs

Vascular-access devices.

turbid

Cloudy, as in the appearance of serum or plasma with high levels of lipids.

thrombosed

Clotted-refers to a vessel that is affected by clotting.

thrombocytopenia

Decreased platelets.

syncope

Medical term for fainting-the loss of consciousness and postural tone that results from insufficient blood flow to the brain.

sclerosed

Hardened.

saline lock

A catheter or cannula, often placed in a vein in the lower arm above the wrist to provide access for administering medication or drawing blood, that can be left in place for up to 48 hours. It is periodically flushed with saline or heparin to prevent clotting.

reflux

The backflow of blood into a patient's vein from the collection tube during venipuncture.

reference range

A range of normal laboratory test values for healthy individuals. Also called a reference interval or normals.

preanalytical

Prior to analysis.

preexamination

Prior to testing; the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) uses this term in place of preanalytical (prior to analysis).

postural pseudoanemia

A condition that is the response to a change in position from standing to lying down.

PICC

Peripherally inserted central catheter.

petechiae

Tiny, nonraised red spots that appear on a patient's skin upon tourniquet application They are minute drops of blood that escape the capillaries and come to the surface of the skin below the tourniquet, most commonly as a result of capillary wall

occluded

Obstructed, as in a vein that is hardened or clotted.

obese

Extremely overweight.

normals

Another name for reference ranges.

mastectomy

Breast excision or removal.

lymphostasis

Obstruction or stoppage of normal lymph flow.

lymphedema

Swelling caused by impaired lymph flow.

lipemic

Describing serum or plasma that appears milky (cloudy white) or turbid because of high lipid content.

jaundice

Also called icterus; a condition characterized by increased bilirubin (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 sclerae (whites of the eyes), giving the

IV

Intravenous.

implanted port

A small chamber attached to an indwelling line that is surgically implanted under the skin in the upper chest or arm.

icteric

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 bilirubin levels.

iatrogenic

An adjective used to describe an adverse condition brought on by the effects of treatment.

hemolysis

Damage or destruction of RBCs and release of hemoglobin into the fluid portion of a specimen, causing the serum color to range from pink (slight hemolysis) to red (gross hemolysis).

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.

hematoma

A swelling or mass of blood (often clotted), such as that caused by blood leaking from a blood vessel during or following venipuncture.

exsanguination

Blood loss to a point where life cannot be sustained.

edema

Swelling due to abnormal accumulation of fluid in the tissues.

circadian

Biologic rhythms or variations that have a 24-hour cycle.

diurnal

Happening daily.

CVC

Central venous catheter.

CVAD

Central vascular access device.

bilirubin

A product of the breakdown of red blood cell.

basal state

The resting metabolic state of the body early in the morning after fasting for a minimum of 12 hours.

bariatric

Pertaining to the treatment of obesity.

AV shunt

Permanent surgical connection of an artery and a vein typically created to provide access for dialysis. Also called a fistula or graft.

analyte

A general term for a substance undergoing analysis or being measured.

A-line

Arterial line.