Tubes, Order of Draw, and Blood Tests: Chapter Seven Key Terms

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms from Chapter Seven on tubes, order of draw, and laboratory blood tests.

Aerobic

With oxygen.

Aliquot

(verb) To separate a portion of a larger sample for testing.

Anaerobic

Without oxygen.

Bacteremia

The presence of bacteria in the bloodstream.

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

The amount of alcohol (ethanol) in the bloodstream.

Centrifuge

(verb) To spin a sample to separate its components.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

A panel of tests to evaluate a patient's overall health.

Crossmatching

A test that determines blood compatibility between donors and recipients.

Culture and Sensitivity (C&S)

A two-part test in which the culture detects pathogenic microorganisms and the sensitivity determines effective antibiotics.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

A blood clot that forms in a deep vein, often in the legs.

Differential (Diff)

A test that measures the percentage of each of the five types of white blood cells.

EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid)

An anticoagulant that prevents clotting by binding calcium.

FUO

Fever of unknown origin.

Hematocrit (Hct)

The percentage of red blood cells in a blood sample.

Hemoglobin (Hgb)

An iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Laboratory Test Directory

A comprehensive list of lab tests and their requirements.

Nutrient Broth

A liquid solution in blood culture bottles used to grow microorganisms.

Plasma Separator Tube (PST)

A blood collection tube containing anticoagulant and gel that is used to separate plasma from cells after centrifugation.

Potassium Oxalate

An anticoagulant, often used with sodium fluoride, that prevents blood clotting by binding calcium.

Silica

A clot activator added to serum tubes to promote rapid clotting of blood samples.

Sodium Citrate

An anticoagulant that prevents blood from clotting by binding calcium.

Serum Separator Tube (SST)

A blood collection tube containing clot activator and gel that is used to separate serum from cells after centrifugation.

Silica

Coot activator added to serum tubes to promote rapid clotting of blood samples

Sodium Fluoride

An additive that preserves glucose.

Sodium Polyanethol Sulfonate (SPS)

An anticoagulant that preserves microorganisms and prevents clotting by binding to calcium.

STAT

To be done immediately.

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM)

The clinical practice of measuring specific drug levels in a patient's bloodstream at scheduled intervals to ensure an effective dose and prevent toxicity.

Thixotropic Gel

A synthetic substance that acts as a barrier between the serum and the packed blood cells after centrifugation.

Trace Elements

(Also called trace metals.) Minerals required in very small amounts to support essential biological functions.

WNL

Within normal limits.