DHO Health Science Chapter 20: Laboratory Assistant Skills

agar plate

special laboratory dish containing agar, a gelatinous colloidal extract of a red alga, which is used to provide nourishment for growth of organisms

antibody screen

test that checks for antibodies in the blood prior to a transfusion

anticoagulant

substance that prevents blood clotting

antigen

substance that causes the body to produce antibodies; may be introduced into the body or formed within the body

anuria

absence of urine

blood smear

a drop of blood spread thinly on a slide for microscopic examination

culture specimen

a sample of microorganisms or tissue cells taken from an area of the body for examination

differential count

blood test that determines the percentage of each kind of leukocyte (white blood cell)

direct smear

a culture specimen placed on a slide for microscopic examination

erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

a blood test that measures the rate at which red blood cells settle out of unclotted blood, also called sed rate

fasting blood sugar (FBS)

blood test to measure blood serum levels of glucose (sugar) in bloodstream after a 12-hour fast

glucose

most common type of sugar in the body

glucose tolerance test (GTT)

a diagnostic test that evaluates how well a person metabolizes a calculated amount of glucose

glycohemoglobin test

blood test that measures the amount of glucose that attaches to hemoglobin on red blood cells to determine the average blood-sugar levels for the previous 2 to 3 months; commonly called HbA1C or AIC test.

glycosuria

sugar in the urine

Gram's stain

technique of staining organisms to identify specific types of bacteria present

hematocrit

blood test that measures percentage of red blood cells per a given unit of blood

hematuria

blood in the urine

hemoglobin (Hgb)

the iron-containing protein of the red blood cells; serves to carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues

hemolysis

disintegration of red blood cells, causing cells to dissolve or go into solution

hyperglycemia

presence of sugar in the blood; high blood sugar

hypoglycemia

low blood sugar

leukocytes

white blood cells

microscope

an instrument that makes small objects look larger for viewing

oliguria

decreased urine secretion

polyuria

excessive urination

reagent strips

special test strip containing chemical substances that react to the presence of certain substances in the urine or blood

refractometer

instrument that measures specific gravity of urine

restraint

able to oppose; organisms that remain unaffected by harmful substances in the environment

sensative

susceptible to a substance; organisms that are affected by an antibiotic in a culture and sensitivity study

skin punture

a small puncture made in the skin to obtain capillary blood

specific gravity

weight or mass of a substance compared with an equal amount of another substance that is used as a standard

typing and crossmatch

a determination of blood types and antigens prior to a blood transfusion

urinalysis

examination of urine by way of physical, chemical, or microscopic testing

urinary sediment

solid materials suspended in urine

urinometer

calibrated device used to measure the specific gravity of urine

venipuncture

surgical puncture of a vein