Laboratory Tests and Values

Laboratory Tests and Values Exam Outline

Introduction

• Overview of laboratory tests

• Importance in clinical decision-making

Uses for Lab Tests

• Screening for Diseases

  • Identify occult diseases

  • Risk stratification for preventative therapy

• Monitoring Patient Conditions

  • Track disease progression

  • Adjust treatment plans

• Predictive Scoring in ICUs

  • Measure severity and outcomes

• Assessing Safety for Physical Therapy (PT)

Limitations of Lab Testing

• Reference Ranges

  • Variability based on sex, gender identity, and race

• Lab Value Identifiers

  • "L" for low, "H" for high

• False Negatives/Positives

  • Importance of continuous monitoring

• Communication Gaps

  • Need for collaboration among healthcare team

• Individual Tolerances

  • Variability in homeostasis responses

Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)

• Components

  • 7-8 tests for electrolytes, glucose, kidney function

• Routine Testing

  • Common for diabetes and kidney disease

• Sodium Levels

  • Hyponatremia and hypernatremia implications

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)

• Includes BMP + Liver Function Tests

  • Bilirubin, albumin, serum enzymes

• Hepatic Function Panel

  • MELD scoring for liver disease prognosis

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

• Components

  • RBCs, WBCs, platelets

• Clinical Relevance

  • Anemia assessment, infection response, clotting ability

Blood Tests

• Altered Blood Counts

  • Pancytopenia and its implications

• Key Measurements

  • Hematocrit, hemoglobin, iron, vitamin B12, folic acid

• Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

  • Inflammation indicator

Cardiovascular Lab Tests

• Congestive Heart Failure Indicators

  • ANP and BNP levels

• Creatine Kinase (CK)

  • Types and diagnostic relevance

• Troponin

  • Importance in myocardial injury diagnosis

Immunologic Tests

• Immunoglobulins and Antibodies

  • Role in autoimmune diseases

• **Human Leukocyte Antigen (H