Diagnostic Tests Study Guide for the Medical Assistant

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts related to diagnostic tests for medical assistants.

Diagnostic Tests

Tests used to determine health status or diagnose medical conditions.

CLIA

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, which regulate laboratory testing in the U.S. for health assessment and disease diagnosis.

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a regulatory agency focused on ensuring safe working conditions.

Quality Control

A system ensuring that patient care is of the highest quality by maintaining equipment and testing protocols.

Blood Glucose

A test measuring the level of glucose in the blood, used to monitor diabetes.

Sedimentation Rate

A blood test that measures how quickly red blood cells settle at the bottom of a test tube, indicating inflammation.

HCG

Human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone produced during pregnancy that can be detected in urine or blood.

Mononucleosis

An infectious disease usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, often diagnosed with blood tests for antibodies.

Universal Precautions

An approach to infection control treating all human blood and fluids as if they are infectious.

Chain of Custody

A process that ensures the integrity and accountability of specimens collected for testing.

Pre-Analytical Errors

Mistakes made during specimen handling and processing that can lead to misdiagnosis.

Microhematocrit

A test measuring the proportion of blood volume occupied by red blood cells.

Holter Monitor

A portable device used to continuously monitor heart rhythms for extended periods.

Sputum Collection

The process of obtaining mucus from the respiratory tract for diagnostic testing.

Glucometer

A device used to measure blood sugar levels.

Lead Placement

The method of positioning electrodes on a patient's body for EKG testing.

ECG/EKG

Electrocardiogram, a test recording the electrical activity of the heart.

Calibration

The process of adjusting and fine-tuning equipment to ensure accurate measurements.

Equipment Care and Maintenance

Practices that ensure laboratory equipment is functioning properly and is safe for use.

Reagents

Substances or compounds used in chemical reactions or tests, often requiring specific storage conditions.

Patient Preparation

Instructions and procedures that need to be followed before collecting specimens for testing.

Normal and Abnormal Results

Reporting and interpreting test outcomes, distinguishing healthy from unhealthy values.

Contamination Prevention

Practices aimed at reducing the risk of contamination during specimen collection and testing.