Diagnostics tests

What does CBC stand for and what is its purpose?

Complete Blood Count, assesses overall health and detects anemia, infection, leukemia.

What does a high RBC count indicate?

Polycythemia

What does a low RBC count suggest?

Anemia

What does leukocytosis indicate?

Infection or inflammation

What does leukopenia suggest?

Bone marrow disorder or immunodeficiency

What is the main function of hemoglobin?

Transport oxygen in red blood cells

What does a low hemoglobin level indicate?

Anemia or blood loss

What does hematocrit measure?

Percentage of RBCs in blood volume

What is a high hematocrit often a sign of?

Dehydration

What is thrombocytosis?

High platelet count

What is thrombocytopenia?

Low platelet count

What are reticulocytes?

Immature red blood cells

What does a high reticulocyte count indicate?

Increased RBC production

What is ABG used to evaluate?

Lung function and acid-base balance

Where is ABG blood commonly drawn from?

Radial, brachial, or femoral artery

What does a high BUN level suggest?

Kidney dysfunction or dehydration

What does creatinine reflect?

Kidney function and muscle mass

What is the most specific indicator of kidney function?

Serum creatinine

What does ALT indicate when elevated?

Liver cell damage

What is AST elevated in?

Liver disease, MI, muscle injury

What does CK-MB indicate?

Cardiac muscle damage

What does a positive troponin test suggest?

Myocardial infarction

What does LDH1 and LDH2 elevation signify?

Cardiac muscle damage

What does CRP detect?

Inflammation

What is ESR used to screen for?

Inflammation, infection, autoimmune diseases

What does HbA1c measure?

3-month average blood glucose levels

What is the normal HbA1c level?

4–5.6%

What fasting blood glucose indicates diabetes?

≥126 mg/dL on two occasions

What is the purpose of OGTT?

To assess glucose tolerance and diagnose diabetes

What is PKU and when is it tested?

Phenylketonuria, newborns 24–72 hours after birth

What does elevated phenylalanine cause?

CNS damage and mental retardation

What is the normal TSH range for adults?

0.4–4.2 mIU/L

What condition is associated with high TSH?

Hypothyroidism

What condition is indicated by low TSH?

Hyperthyroidism

What are T3 and T4?

Thyroid hormones regulating metabolism

What is routine urinalysis used to check?

Urine color, pH, protein, glucose, and blood

What does low urine specific gravity suggest?

Overhydration or renal dysfunction

What is a clean-catch urine specimen used for?

Urine culture to detect infection

What is a timed urine specimen used to assess?

Kidney function and hormone levels

What is the guaiac test for?

Detecting occult blood in stool

What causes false positive guaiac tests?

Red meat, NSAIDs, iron, and some vegetables

What causes false negative guaiac tests?

Vitamin C intake >250 mg/day

What is sputum analysis used for?

Identifying lung infections, TB, or cancer

When is sputum best collected?

Early morning before eating or drinking

What does pink frothy sputum indicate?

Pulmonary edema

What does green sputum suggest?

Pneumonia or infection

What is the purpose of a throat swab?

Detect bacterial or viral throat infections

What is a chest x-ray used for?

Visualizing lungs, heart, and bones

Who should avoid x-rays?

Pregnant patients

What is colonoscopy used for?

Examining colon for polyps or cancer

What technology does ultrasound use?

Sound waves

What are CT scans best for?

Detailed cross-sectional images of organs

What is the risk with MRI?

Contraindicated with metal implants

What is PET scan used for?

Tracking metabolic activity in organs

What is lumbar puncture used to collect?

Cerebrospinal fluid

At which vertebrae is LP performed?

Between L4–L5

What is thoracentesis?

Needle drainage of pleural fluid or air

What position is used during thoracentesis?

Sitting upright with arms forward

What is paracentesis?

Drainage of abdominal fluid

Where is paracentesis typically performed?

Midway between umbilicus and pubis

What is cystoscopy?

Endoscopic examination of the bladder

What is echocardiography?

Ultrasound imaging of the heart

What does angiography visualize?

Blood flow through arteries or veins

What does increased LDH mean?

Tissue or organ damage

What condition is associated with high uric acid?

Gout

What is bilirubin a by-product of?

RBC breakdown

High bilirubin suggests what condition?

Liver disease or bile obstruction

What does PT measure?

Time for blood plasma to clot via extrinsic pathway

What does APTT measure?

Time to clot via intrinsic pathway

What are CK-MB, troponin, and LDH collectively called?

Cardiac markers

What is indicated by elevated ALT/AST ratio?

Alcoholic liver disease

What electrolyte imbalance is common in diarrhea?

Hypokalemia

What does hypocalcemia cause?

Tetany, muscle spasms

What hormone regulates sodium levels?

Aldosterone

What diagnostic test is used for pulmonary embolism?

V/Q scan

What are Q scan and V scan for?

Perfusion and ventilation imaging

What does echocardiography assess?

Heart structure and valve function

What is the function of platelets?

Initiate coagulation process

What type of imaging uses radioactive isotopes?

Nuclear medicine (e.g. PET, thyroid scan)

Why is NPO required before abdominal ultrasound?

To avoid gas that obscures imaging

What color sputum suggests TB?

Pink or bloody

What is the normal range of potassium in serum?

3.5–5.0 mEq/L

What is hyperkalemia commonly caused by?

Renal failure, ACE inhibitors

What is hypokalemia caused by?

Vomiting, diarrhea, diuretics

What is the purpose of the FBS test?

Assess fasting glucose for diabetes diagnosis

What is a common sign of hypothyroidism?

Fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance

What test is used to monitor diabetic treatment?

HbA1c

What is required before an IV pyelography?

Check for iodine allergy and NPO 8 hours

What blood tests require fasting?

FBS, lipid profile

What is the function of magnesium in the body?

Neuromuscular function and enzyme activity

What type of specimen is needed for a CBC?

Venous blood

How long should pressure be applied after ABG draw?

5–10 minutes

What is the best position for lumbar puncture?

Lateral recumbent

What is a contraindication for LP?

Increased intracranial pressure

What causes metabolic acidosis?

Renal failure, diarrhea, diabetic ketoacidosis

What causes respiratory alkalosis?

Hyperventilation

What causes respiratory acidosis?

COPD, hypoventilation

What is normal pH range of blood?

7.35–7.45