Veterinary Laboratory Science Equipment and Sample Collection

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering laboratory science equipment, clinical pathology, quality control, blood tubes, microbiology, parasitology, cytology, and histopathology based on the lecture transcript.

Clinical Pathology

The study of diseased tissues and fluids from living patients using chemistry, hematology, enzymology, cytology, microbiology, parasitology, immunology, and histopathology.

Lactophenol Cotton Blue

A laboratory stain specifically used for identifying dermatophytes.

Compound Light Microscope

A microscope equipped with two separate lens systems: the ocular lens system and the objective lens system.

Total Magnification

The overall magnification of a compound light microscope, calculated by multiplying the objective lens power by the ocular lens power.

Centrifuge

An instrument for separating solid and fluid constituents through the use of centrifugal forces.

Refractometer

An instrument used to measure total solids (protein) in plasma and specific gravity in urine by determining how light waves bend as they pass through fluid.

Dry Chemistry Analyzer

An analyzer that utilizes reagent slides or cartridges where light transmitted to an analyte slide is reflected to a photodetector for color quantification.

Quality Control

Steps taken to ensure test results are of sufficiently high quality through proper sample handling, test procedures, and equipment maintenance.

Accuracy

The closeness with which an observation or measurement agrees with its true value.

Precision

The repeatability of a test result with decreased random errors, which serves as a requirement of accuracy.

Reliability

The degree of accuracy and precision of laboratory test results.

Trend

A temporal change in quality control values that gradually increases or decreases over time.

Shift

A dramatic change in quality control values that does not trend in one direction or another.

Controls

Serum-based biologic solutions with known concentrations of various analytes used to test equipment and operator precision.

Pre-analytic Procedures

Standardized quality control procedures covering patient preparation, patient and specimen identification, and specimen acquisition and processing.

Analytic Variables

Factors affecting quality control related to testing methodology, standardization, calibration, protocol documentation, and active monitoring of equipment.

Procedures Book

A laboratory reference manual containing a separate page for each procedure detailing the test name, rationale, reagent/supply list, and step-by-step instructions.

Hematology

The science dealing with the morphology of blood and blood-forming tissues, as well as their physiology and pathology.

CBC (Complete Blood Count)

A test for the cellular portion of the blood that consists of counting and visually examining blood cells.

Hemogram

The written report generated from a Complete Blood Count (CBC).

Packed Cell Volume (PCV)

The percentage of red blood cells in a centrifuged whole blood sample prepared using a microhematocrit tube.

Buffy Coat

The thin layer containing white blood cells and platelets formed above the red blood cells after centrifuging a blood sample in a microhematocrit tube.

Serum

The straw-colored fluid portion of blood that remains after red blood cells and clotting factors (such as fibrinogen) have been separated by clotting.

Plasma

The fluid portion of unclotted blood containing dissolved proteins and clotting factors such as fibrinogen.

Purple Top Tube

A blood collection tube containing the anticoagulant EDTA, which prevents clotting and keeps cells in suspension for complete blood counts.

Red Top Tube

A collection tube with no anticoagulant that allows blood to clot for serum assays, and is also used for submitting urine or swab samples.

Tiger Top Tube

A serum separator tube (SST) containing a gel that forms a barrier between red blood cells and serum after centrifugation.

Green Top Tube

A blood collection tube containing lithium heparin anticoagulant, commonly used for blood gas, electrolytes, and avian blood samples.

Blue Top Tube

A blood collection tube containing sodium citrate anticoagulant, used specifically for coagulation assays.

Grey Top Tube

A blood collection tube containing sodium fluoride anticoagulant, used primarily for submitting samples for glucose level analysis.

Cystocentesis

A urine collection method involving needle insertion directly into the bladder through the abdominal wall, yielding the cleanest sterile sample for bacteriologic culture.

Microbiology

The study of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, viruses, pathogenic protozoa, and the diseases they cause.

Culture and Sensitivity

A laboratory test that returns a report with the identification of a specific microorganism and the antibiotics to which it is susceptible.

Culturette

A swab transport system containing medium at the bottom to nourish microorganisms during shipment to the laboratory.

Dermatophyte Testing Medium (DTM)

A special culture jar medium used to isolate ringworm organisms, requiring room temperature incubation with the cap left open a quarter of a turn.

Parasitology

The study of parasites and parasitism, encompassing the examination of feces, skin scrapings, and blood samples.

Demodex

A microscopic skin mite that burrows below the skin surface, diagnosed by scraping skin with a dulled scalpel blade and mineral oil until a slight ooze of blood appears.

Cytology

The microscopic study of cells, including their origin, structure, function, and pathology.

Fine-Needle Aspirate (FNA)

A cytologic sampling procedure using a needle and syringe to pull cells or fluid from a mass or lesion.

Histopathology

The diagnosis of disease through the microscopic analysis of the minute structure, composition, and function of tissues.

Formalin

A carcinogenic preservative solution (10% buffered formalin) used to fix biopsy specimens at room temperature in a 10:1 ratio of formalin volume to specimen volume.

Enzymology

The study of tissue-specific enzymes released into the blood during tissue damage, such as lipase and amylase levels used to diagnose pancreatic disease.

Immunology

The study of all aspects of immunity, including immunodeficiency, autoimmunity, neoplasia, hypersensitivity, and antibody titers.