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Laboratory Assistant Skills
Microscope
An instrument used to magnify and visualize objects too small for the human eye.
Monocular microscope
A type of microscope with one eyepiece.
Binocular microscope
A type of microscope with two eyepieces.
Compound microscope
Commonly used microscope that provides bright-field illumination.
Epifluorescence microscope
A microscope used with fluorescent dye stains.
Electron microscope
A microscope used to view extremely small objects.
Culture specimen
A sample obtained to identify the causative agent of a disease.
Agar plate
A culture plate also known as a petri dish.
Gram's stain technique
A method used to classify bacteria into gram positive and gram negative.
Blood glucose
A form of sugar found in the bloodstream, regulated by insulin.
Erythrocytes
Red blood cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to the body.
Hematocrit
The volume of packed red blood cells in blood, expressed as a percentage.
Hemoglobin
A protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
Urinalysis
The physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine.
Specific gravity
A measurement of the concentration of urine.
Reagent strips
Chemical strips that react to specific substances in urine for testing.
Sedimentation rate or Erythrocyte Sedimentation rate (ESR)
Measures how far red blood cells fall in a specific period.
Antigen
A substance that induces an immune response and determines blood type.
Polycythemia
A condition with an increased number of red blood cells.
Anemia
A condition with a decreased number of red blood cells.
Informed consent
Permission granted by a patient after being informed of the risks involved.
Standard precautions
An approach to infection control to protect healthcare workers and patients.
Types of blood draw
Methods including venipuncture, capillary, and arterial draws to collect blood samples.
Procedure for obtaining capillary blood
Involves puncturing the skin with a lancet to collect blood, often from a fingertip or heel.
Performing a Microhematocrit
A technique to determine the percentage of red blood cells in a blood sample using a centrifuge.
Hemolysis
The rupture of red blood cells, releasing hemoglobin into the surrounding fluid.
Hemoglobinometer
An instrument used to measure the concentration of hemoglobin in blood.
Preparing and Staining a Blood Film or Smear
A process of spreading a drop of blood on a slide, drying it, and applying stains for microscopic examination.
How to perform an ESR
Involves placing blood in a tube and measuring how quickly red blood cells settle over a specific period.
Different tests for glucose levels
Tests including fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance test, and A1C measurement.
First indication of a disease process
Often reflected by changes in blood or urine tests, such as abnormal glucose or protein levels.
Physical characteristics of urine testing
Includes assessment of color, clarity, odor, and specific gravity of urine.
Chemical characteristics of urine testing
Involves testing for pH, glucose, protein, ketones, and other substances using reagent strips.
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