Respiratory Technology Program - Chapter 17 Concepts

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the Respiratory Technology Program, focusing on blood tests, abnormal values, and their implications in respiratory therapy.

White blood cell (WBC) count

A large elevation may suggest bacterial infection, inflammation, tissue injury, or stress.

Low WBC count causes

Common causes include bone marrow suppression, viral infections, and autoimmune diseases or sepsis.

Neutrophils

A specific type of WBC elevated in bacterial pneumonia.

Lymphocytes

A specific type of WBC elevated in viral pneumonia.

Eosinophils

WBCs typically elevated in allergic reactions and asthma.

Anemia

A term describing a low red blood cell count, treated by correcting the underlying cause and supplementing iron and vitamins.

Normal hemoglobin levels

12–16 g/dL for females and 14–18 g/dL for males; important for oxygen carrying capacity.

Polycythemia

A blood abnormality caused by chronic hypoxemia resulting in excess RBC production.

Platelet count

A laboratory value to check before performing an arterial blood gas (ABG) to ensure proper clotting.

Serum potassium normal range

Normal range is 3.5 - 5.0 mEq/L.

Hyperkalemia

A condition of very high potassium levels, which can result from kidney failure or potassium-sparing diuretics.

Hypokalemia

A condition of very low potassium levels, which can be caused by diuretic therapy, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Total CO2 content

Represents bicarbonate value on the venous chemistry panel.

Chloride level importance

Chloride levels in sweat are critical for diagnosing cystic fibrosis, with a value greater than 60 mEq/L being indicative.

Anion gap

When abnormal, it indicates a need for an arterial blood gas test to assess for metabolic acidosis or alkalosis.

Blood Urea Nitrogen and Creatinine

Tests that indicate renal function and waste removal ability.

ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) and AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase)

Common liver enzymes elevated in patients with hepatitis.

CPK types

CPK-BB indicates brain/lung damage, CPK-MM indicates muscle injury, and CPK-MB indicates heart damage.

Troponin I

A protein released when heart muscle cells are damaged, crucial for diagnosing heart attacks.

BNP (B-type Natriuretic Peptide)

Released when the heart is stressed from fluid overload; elevated levels indicate heart failure.

Prothrombin Time (PT)

Measures clotting ability and monitors warfarin therapy.

Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT)

Measures clotting intrinsic pathway and monitors heparin therapy.

D-dimer test

Measures fibrin degradation products; helps rule out pulmonary embolism and DVT.

Platelets

Vital blood cells for clotting, with a normal range of 150,000 to 450,000/mm3.

Sputum specimen rejection reasons

Contamination with saliva indicated by over 10 epithelial cells per low-power field and fewer than 25 WBCs per field.