Phlebotomy terminology

Phenylketonuria

PKU. A metabolic condition where the body lacks the gene responsible for creating the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase— in which the body cannot metabolize phenylalanine and results in a build-up

Guthrie Test

Screens for phenylalanine in the blood

Lancet

Small device used to puncture skin during capillary puncture

Tests requiring more than one blood drop

Sedimentation rates, blood cultures, and coagulation studies

Capillary tubes

Red, black, and blue. Red and black lines indicate heparin (anticoagulant) is present. Blue line indicates no anticoagulant is present (specimen will clot)

Microtainer tube

To collect, transport, and store samples for blood tests utilizing serum or heparinized plasma

Point of care testing

Testing that can be done outside of a lab setting. It allows for efficient results

Glucose

Blood sugar. It is the primary carbohydrate and energy source in blood

Fasting blood glucose (FBG) test

First method used to test for diabetes.

2-hour post prandial blood glucose test

Measures blood sugar levels two hours after a meal to assess how the body responds to a typical meal

Glucose tolerance test (GTT)

Drinking a solution containing 75 to 100 grams of glucose within 5 minutes and measuring blood sugar levels at intervals to evaluate how insulin responds to the increased glucose intake. (30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, and sometimes 6 hours)

Automated glucose analyzers

Used to measure glucose level

Types of automated glucose analyzers

Photometry, reflectance photometry, and glucometer

Photometry analyzer

It is the science of the measurement of light as perceived by the human eye. Transfer blood from capillary puncture into cuvette, then placed into a photometer. After 45 to 240 seconds, the concentration is displayed.

Reflectance photometry

Blood applied to test strip and analyzing the reflected light. The deeper/darker the color, the more glucose is present

Glucometer

A portable device that tracks fluctuations in glucose levels

Cholesterol

Fatty (lipid) compound found in blood

Lipoproteins

Transport cholesterol through blood

2 ways of lipoprotein transport

High density lipoproteins and low density lipoproteins

HDL

Carries cholesterol to the liver, where it becomes bile and leaves the body. It helps remove LDL from arteries

LDL

Carries cholesterol to tissues and blood vessels. Excess can cause blocked arteries, obesity, and fatty liver disease. It increases the risk of heart disease and arterial disease

Triglycerides

Lipids (fats) in blood that are used by the body as an energy source and stores unused calories

CBC

Hemoglobin determination, hematocrit determination, RBC count, WBC count, differential WBC count, and platelet count

Blood count methods

diluting blood with a hemocytometer, blood smear, and automated cell counters

Hemocytometer

heavy glass slide

Hemoglobin test

Part of CBC or ordered manually. It is measured with a hemoglobinometer through photometry. It compares hgb with a solution of known strength and normal color and measures the density of hemoglobin pigment with light

Hemocue

Portable hemoglobinometer

Hematocrit (Hct)

Ratio of volume of packed red blood cells in relation to the whole specimen (percentage of RBCs). Can be tested manually (more common) or with automated test

Microcuvette

Single-use sample collection device for analysis (similar to hemocue). Some are specifically designed for hemoglobin or hematocrit. Generally, can be used for hematologic testing

Serum collection

Liquid leftover after blood has clotted

WBCs

Granulocytes and agranulocytes. Granulocytes include Basophils, eosinophils, and neutrophils. Agranulocytes include lymphocytes and monocytes

WBC detoxification

Regulated by eosinophils to neutralize poisons and other harmful substances. This process controls histamine production, resulting in allergic reactions

WBC inflammation

Swelling, heat, redness, and pain. The body’s response to a foreign agent. It is represented as swelling as the result of increased plasma flow to the area with other WBCs. Basophils release histamine to increase inflammation. They coordinate the entire inflammatory process

Phagocytosis

Process of engulfing bacteria or particles. Performed by neutrophils and monocytes.

Immune response

Fights antigens with antibodies (performed by lymphocytes).

Immunity

The memory process where the immune system remembers adapted antibodies, so they’re available if a pathogen returns

Differential cell count

Identifies quantity of each type of white blood cell and compares them to platelets

Normal rbc size

Normocytic

Abnormal size rbc

Anisocytosis

Abnormal rbc shape

poikilocytosis

Mononucleosis other names

Glandular fever, kissing disease

Test cassette

Testing device that holds the blood sample

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

Sedimentation rate (sed rate). The measurement of the rate that red blood cells will settle to the bottom of a vertical tube after the sample is well mixed and anticoagulated

Methods to test sed rate

Wintrobe method and westergren method

Wintrobe method

Venous blood sample is mixed well with an anticoagulant and transferred into wintrobe tube.

Wintrobe tube

Thick-walled glass tube with flat bottom and millimeter marks from 0 to 105.4

Westergren method

Similar to wintrobe method. Exception is the reagent used. It uses 3.8 percent sodium citrate solution mixed before transfer to tube

Spherocytosis

An inherited blood disorder that causes hemolytic anemia. It is determined by the presence of spherocytes (abnormally round red blood cells)

Polycythemia

A blood disorder where there is an increased number of red blood cells which can lead to thicker blood and other complications