UNIT 3: The Clinical Laboratory - Vocabulary Flashcards

A focused set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions from UNIT 3: The Clinical Laboratory, including lab types, sections, testing modalities, and quality systems.

Clinical Laboratory

A facility that performs pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical testing on human specimens to provide health information.

Pre-analytical Phase

Procedures before testing, including specimen collection, handling, labeling, and transportation.

Analytical Phase

The actual testing/assay procedures performed on specimens.

Post-analytical Phase

Reporting and interpretation of test results.

AO 2021-0037 (DOH Administrative Order)

Philippine DOH regulation defining the scope and operation of clinical laboratories.

Silent Sentinel

A metaphor describing clinical laboratories as providers of crucial health information.

Medical Technologist

Licensed professional who performs tests, maintains equipment, and interprets results.

Pathologist

Medical doctor who oversees diagnostic testing and interprets laboratory results; may specialize in pathology.

Institution-based Laboratory

A clinical laboratory located within a licensed health facility.

Non-institution Based (Freestanding) Laboratory

A laboratory that operates independently of a health facility and is licensed by DOH.

Clinical Pathology

Laboratory discipline focusing on the analysis of blood and body fluids for diagnosis and management.

Anatomical Pathology

Laboratories that process and examine surgical specimens, tissues, and cytology.

Molecular Pathology

Pathology focused on molecular and genetic analysis for disease diagnosis and management.

Clinical Cytology

Study of individual cells or small cell clusters for disease diagnosis (e.g., FNA, Pap smear).

Histopathology

Examination of tissue architecture and cellular details in tissues to diagnose disease.

Immunohematology

Study of blood group antigens and compatibility for transfusion and transfusion safety.

Hematology

Study of blood cells and disorders; includes CBC and related coagulation testing.

Coagulation

Assessment of blood clotting function (e.g., PT, aPTT, INR, fibrinogen).

Immunology/Serology

Tests that detect antibodies or antigens to diagnose infections, autoimmune diseases, and vaccines responses.

Bacteriology

Study of bacteria, including culture, identification, and antibiotic susceptibility.

Parasitology

Identification of parasites via microscopy and molecular methods.

Mycology

Study of fungi and fungal infections.

Virology

Study of viruses and their detection in clinical samples.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

DNA amplification technique to detect specific genetic material of pathogens.

Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)

High-throughput sequencing to analyze genetic material for comprehensive insights.

Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA)

A cytology sampling technique using a thin needle to obtain cells from a lesion.

Pap Smear

Cervical cytology test to detect precancerous changes in cervical cells.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Blood test that counts RBCs, WBCs, platelets and measures hemoglobin and hematocrit.

ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase)

Liver enzyme; elevated levels indicate liver injury or disease.

AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase)

Liver enzyme; elevated levels indicate liver or muscle damage.

BUN

Blood urea nitrogen; assesses kidney function.

Creatinine

Waste product measured to evaluate kidney function.

Lipid Profile

Panel measuring total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides for cardiovascular risk.

TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone)

Hormone that regulates thyroid function; assessed with free T4 for thyroid status.

Free T4

Unbound thyroxine hormone; used with TSH to evaluate thyroid function.

ABO/Rh Typing

Determination of a patient’s blood group and Rh status for transfusion safety.

Cross-matching

Testing donor red cells with recipient serum to ensure transfusion compatibility.

HIV Testing

Laboratory testing for HIV antibodies/antigens and nucleic acids to diagnose infection.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

Immunoassay technique to detect and quantify antibodies or antigens.

Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLIA)

Immunoassay method that uses luminescent signals for detection.

Fluorescence Immunoassay (FIA)

Immunoassay using fluorescent labels to detect target molecules.

Western Blot

Immunoassay used to confirm specific proteins, often for HIV or other infections.

PCR Platforms (Molecular Diagnostics)

Instruments and methods (PCR/NGS) for detecting genetic material of pathogens.

LIS (Laboratory Information System)

Software system that manages orders, specimens, results, and reporting.

NEQAS

National External Quality Assessment Scheme; external quality evaluation program.

CAP (College of American Pathologists)

Organization providing external quality assurance and proficiency testing.

QA/QC

Quality assurance and quality control processes to ensure accurate results.

HIPAA

U.S. regulation protecting patient privacy and data security; applicable to data handling.

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

Protective gear used to ensure safety in the laboratory.

Immunohematology/Blood Bank

Section focused on blood typing, cross-matching, and transfusion safety.

Satellite Testing Laboratory

Licensed lab located remotely from the main facility, equipped for specialized work.

Mobile Clinical Laboratory

A carrier-equipped lab that travels to multiple sites to perform testing.

Laboratory Reception & Central Processing Area

Front-desk entry point and central area where samples are logged and prepared for analysis.

Clinical Chemistry

Section analyzing chemical components in blood/urine/CSF including electrolytes, enzymes, and metabolites.

Hematology & Coagulation Section

Laboratory section analyzing blood cells and coagulation tests (CBC, PT, PTT, INR).

Clinical Microscopy

Section performing urine and body fluid microscopic analyses for cells, crystals, organisms.

Parasitology Section (in microbiology context)

Section diagnosing parasitic infections using microscopy and molecular methods.

Immunology/Serology Scope

Tests that assess immune responses including antibodies, antigens, and autoimmune markers.

Histopathology vs Cytopathology

Histopathology examines tissue architecture; Cytopathology studies individual cells.

Tertiary/Secondary Primary Categories (pathology services)

Classification framework for clinical/molecular/anatomic pathology services.

LIS Data Analytics

Analytics within LIS for performance metrics, turnaround times, and trends.

Primary Clinical Laboratory

A clinical laboratory equipped for basic tests like CBC, urinalysis, and fecalysis, often found in smaller healthcare settings or clinics.

Secondary Clinical Laboratory

A laboratory offering a broader range of services, including clinical chemistry, serology, microbiology, and immunohematology, typically in a general hospital.

Tertiary Clinical Laboratory

A comprehensive laboratory providing specialized and highly complex diagnostic services, such as histopathology, molecular diagnostics, and toxicology, usually in a medical center or teaching hospital.

Internal Quality Control (IQC)

A daily process within the laboratory using control materials to monitor the accuracy and precision of assays and analytical systems.

Turnaround Time (TAT)

The total time elapsed from when a test is ordered (or specimen collected) to when the results are reported and made available to the clinician.

Point-of-Care Testing (POCT)

Diagnostic testing performed at or near the site of patient care, outside the centralized laboratory, providing rapid results.

External Quality Assessment (EQA)

A system for objectively checking laboratory performance by an external agency, often involving blinded samples to assess accuracy and reliability.

Proficiency Testing (PT)

A program where samples are distributed to multiple laboratories for analysis, and results are compared to a reference or peer group to evaluate competence.

Calibration

The process of adjusting an instrument or system to a known standard or reference value to ensure accurate and reliable measurements.

Reference Range (Normal Range)

The expected set of values for a particular test in a healthy population, used to interpret patient results.

Quality Assurance (QA)

A comprehensive system designed to ensure the overall quality and reliability of laboratory services, covering all phases from pre-analytical to post-analytical.

Specimen Rejection Criteria

Specific conditions or reasons (e.g., unlabeled, wrong tube, insufficient volume) under which a laboratory sample cannot be processed for testing.

Reagent

A substance or mixture for use in chemical reactions or assays to detect, measure, or produce other substances.

Critical Value (Panic Value)

A laboratory test result indicating a life-threatening physiological state that requires immediate communication to the ordering physician for prompt action.

Quality Management System (QMS)

A coordinated set of activities to direct and control an organization with regard to quality, encompassing all aspects of laboratory operations to ensure optimal service delivery.

Biosafety Levels (BSL)

A set of containment precautions and practices used in laboratories to protect workers and the environment from biological hazards, ranging from BSL-1 (minimal risk) to BSL-4 (maximum risk).

Chain of Custody

A documented process detailing the chronological record of possession, handling, transfer, and analysis of a specimen to maintain its integrity and establish its authenticity.

Specimen Integrity

The state of a laboratory sample remaining unaltered and suitable for analysis from the time of collection until testing is complete, crucial for accurate results.