Understanding Blood Tests: Procedures, Types, Importance

• A blood test is a medical procedure that analyzes a blood sample to assess health.
• Substances like red and white blood cells, glucose, and cholesterol are measured to diagnose conditions, monitor diseases, and evaluate organ function and results guide treatment decisions.
• Blood tests can detect disease, assess organ function, monitor chronic conditions, and check for nutritional deficiencies.
• The importance of blood tests include diagnosing diseases, monitoring chronic conditions, and checking organ function
• Blood tests are non-invasive, quick, provide crucial health information, and can help prevent serious conditions.
• Disadvantages of blood tests include discomfort or anxiety, and false positives/negatives can occur, some are costly.
• Blood tests are available in most hospital laboratories, clinics, diagnostic laboratories, health centers, and blood donation centers.

Blood Test Procedure

• Clean the puncture site with an alcohol swab to prevent infection.
• Apply a tourniquet is wrapped around the upper arm to make the vein more visible.
• Draw a sterile needle is inserted into a vein, and blood is drawn into one or more test tubes.
• Remove the needle, and a cotton ball or bandage is placed on the puncture site.
• The blood sample is labeled and sent to the laboratory for analysis based on the requested tests.
• Machines and lab technicians analyze the blood to check for different health indicators, depending on the type of test requested.
• The results are recorded and sent to the doctor for interpretation.
• Different blood tests may require special preparations, such as fasting before a glucose or cholesterol test.
• Phlebotomists are specialists trained in drawing blood.
• Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses can conduct blood tests.
• Medical Laboratory Technicians are professionals who may collect and analyze blood samples.
• Doctors can conduct blood tests, especially in settings without specialized staff.
• Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) can conduct blood tests in emergency situations.
• In the Philippines, a CBC ranges from ₱80 to ₱540, an FBS test from ₱80 to ₱400, and a Lipid Profile from ₱450 to ₱2,070.
• Specialized tests like D-Dimer can cost up to ₱4,200

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

• CBC is a blood test used to look at overall health and find a wide range of conditions, including anemia, infection and leukemia.
• A complete blood count test measures red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets.
• CBC identifies conditions such as anemia, infections, and blood disorders.
• CBC tracks existing health issues and evaluates the effectiveness of treatments.
• Part of regular health assessments to detect potential abnormalities early done with CBC..
• CBC is important because it gives doctors valuable information about your health.
• A CBC comprehensive because provides a broad overview of blood health detection
• A CBC allows for the early Detection and identifies potential health issues before symptoms arise.
• CBC is routine use because it's widely available and commonly used in medical practice
• non-specific because abnormal results may require further testing to pinpoint exact causes.
• Variability: Factors like hydration, diet, and stress can influence results in respect to CBC
• Procedure is healthcare worker cleans the selected puncture site, usually on the inner elbow, with an alcohol swab to prevent infection.
• Apply tourniquet to make vein more prominent and easier to access.
• A sterile needle is inserted into a vein, and blood is drawn into a lavender-top tube containing EDTA (an anticoagulant) to prevent clotting.
• Needle is removed, and a cotton ball or bandage is applied to the puncture site to stop any bleeding.
• The collected blood sample is gently inverted 8–10 times to ensure proper mixing with the anticoagulant, preventing clot formation.
• The blood sample is labeled with the patient's information and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
• The sample is placed into a hematology analyzer, which automatically measures red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets.
• The CBC results are recorded, analyzed, and sent to the doctor for interpretation, helping diagnose conditions like anemia, infections, or blood disorders. Phlebotomists, Nurses, Medical Laboratory Technicians, Doctors and EMT's may conduct CBC.
• Cost of CBC in the Philippines typically ranges from ₱129 to ₱450,

Urinalysis

• A set of tests looking at the appearance of urine and checks for blood cells, proteins and other substances in it.
• It's a routine screening test or looks for signs of infection, kidney or liver disease, diabetes or other health conditions.
• A urinalysis is a common test to check overall health, pregnancy checkup or pre-surgery preparation.
• It can be used to screen for disorders, such as diabetes, kidney disease or liver disease, when you're admitted to a hospital.
• It is also used to diagnose a medical condition such as abdominal pain, back pain, frequent or painful urination, blood in your urine, or other urinary problems.
• A urinalysis can help monitor a medical condition, such as kidney disease or a urinary tract infection, to monitor condition and treatment.
• Detects diseases early for treatment.
• Detects and manage a wide range of disorders, such as urinary tract infections kidney disease and diabetes.
• A urinalysis detects diseases early for treatment and it is very easy and non invasive..
• A urinalysis detects and manage a wide range of disorders, such as urinary tract infections, kidney disease and diabetes.
• Results turnaround time is normally 24-48 hours, or longer, depending on proximity to major urban areas.
• Urine-based testing can be challenged if the collection standards are not followed in an unprofessional setting.
• Collect urine by cleaning the genital area with a sterile wipe.
• Start urinating into the toilet, then halt the stream momentarily.
• Under the stream resume urinating, to collect at least 1 to 2 ounces of urine.
• Once the sample is collected, remove the container and finish urinating into the toilet and ensure the sample within 60 minutes, or refrigerate if necessary to preserve it.
• Urinalysis is typically conducted by healthcare professionals in various settings and done at hospitals, clinics, diagnostic labs.
• Urine sample may be asked to collect a urine sample at home, then take it to the office or lab for testing.
• Cost: Automated test under machine tie-up is ₱240 and Manual is ₱210.

Fecal tests

• diagnostic test analyzing feces to identify infections, digestive issues, or diseases.
• Feces is a waste material excreted from the digestive system.
• Fecal test detects infections (bacteria, viruses, parasites), screens for colorectal cancer and diagnoses digestive disorders
• It is a non-invasive diagnosis that test helps to detects diseases early and create treatment plans..
• They are easy and non-invasive and detects a wide range of conditions.
• False positives/negatives are possible.
• Requires pre-test dietary/medication restrictions.
• Fecal tests are done at hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic labs.
• To collect sample, follow instructions from your healthcare provider, such as dietary restrictions or avoiding certain medications.
• Use a sterile container or collection kit that is provided by the healthcare provider to collect a stool sample, ensuring no contact with urine or water to avoid contamination.
• After follow any instructions is to Seal the container securely and submit it to a lab or medical center for analysis with results sent to your healthcare provider for interpretation.
• Stool sample is analyzed by lab technicians and tests reference stool are ordered by doctors such as general practitioners and specialists.
• Analysed by trained lab technicians or medical technologists.
• In the Philippines the cost are as follows: Fecalysis: ₱70.00 to ₱350.00, Fecal Occult Blood Test: ₱120.00 to ₱550.00 and Fecalysis with Occult Blood: ₱600.00

Sputum test

• A test that checks for bacteria or another type of germ causing a respiratory infections.
• Sputum, aka phlegm, is thick mucus made in the lungs.
• A sputum culture is a test used to find and diagnose bacteria or fungi that may be causing an infection in the lungs or airways.
• It is to see if a chronic illness of the lungs has worsened and determine if treatment is needed for a lung or airway infection.
• It also helps diagnose respiratory conditions such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and bronchiectasis
• It helps determine whether there is an infection in the lungs, and if so, what type of germ causing it.
• Detects the causes of lower respiratory tract infections and other diseases and monitors the effectiveness of clinical treatment.
• Patients may find test uncomfortable and can stimulate coughing "jags".
• Sputum cytology is often done at your clinic or hospital lab.
• Before the procedure, entailments are explained, to get a history of symptoms, medical conditions and family history of lung diseases or lung cancer.
• Wear comfortable and clothing that can easily be washed.
• During the test, you will be forcefully. cough into a container and the nurse will help you take deep breaths
• After, the sputum sample is looked at under the microscope for stains and other techniques to further define what is being seen.
• The sample will then be placed in a culture and grown (a sputum culture) to determine exactly which bacteria are causing an infection.
• Pulmonologist collects a sample of coughed-up phlegm and sends it to the lab for examination, may suspect bronchiectasis.
• Health care Providers perform sputum cultures, to diagnose and treat infections in lungs or airways
• In private hospitals, it costs PHP 856 for a Sputum examination but in government hospitals, it is free.

Chest X-ray

• A chest X-ray is a test that creates an image of your heart, lungs and bones.
• It evaluates the lungs, heart and chest wall and diagnose shortness of breath, persistent cough, fever, chest pain or injury
• Can also diagnose and monitor treatment for a variety of lung conditions such as pneumonia, emphysema and cancer.
• A chest x-ray can help providers see how well your lungs and heart
• A chest x-ray serves as a baseline functional status for patients as well as a tool for cancer surveillance
• The process is painless, suitable for patients of all ages, and results are available rapidly, which is useful in emergency to make immediate diagnosis .
• Chest x-rays cannot detect all conditions and there is always slight radiation.
• Two views of the chest are taken as the patient stands against the image recording plate in a chest x-ray..
• The technologist position the patient with hands on hips and chest pressed against the image plate for the second view, the patient's side is against the image plate with arms elevated.
• A trained healthcare professional known as a radiologic technologist or radiographer conducts the X-ray.
• The test happens in hospitals, diagnostic Clinics Rural Health Units (RHUs) and Government Clinics as well as Occupational Health and Medical Exam Centers
• Cost: Chest PA X-Ray Adult = 360P, Chest Child XRAY = 530P

Ultrasound

• An ultrasound is a medical imaging technique, also know as sonography, that utilizes high-frequency sound waves to produce images of structures within the body.
• It's non-invasive, does not involve ionizing radiation and it is used for visualizing internal organs, tissues, blood flow, and can be used for pregnancies.
• Ultrasounds help diagnose conditions affecting organs such as the liver, heart, kidneys, and abdomen through medical diagnostics.
• It helps monitor fetal development, assess gestational age, and detects congenital abnormalities with pregnancy monitoring
• Assists in guiding procedures like biopsies and needle aspirations, with guided procedures.
• Non-invasive, safe, and versatile, it employs high frequency sound waves, reduces risks, suitable for fetal development.
• Real provides time imaging and guides procedures.
• Widespread available equipment and cost effective contributes to prompt and efficient patient care.
• Ultrasounds are painless with no ionizing radiaiton needed and allows for assessment of organs and blood flow for costs less than modalities, CT and MRI..
• Ultrasound is bad for imaging through bone or gas-filled structures, quality depends on skill, details not as much as CT and MRI scans.
• Change into a hospital gown to allow easy access to the area for the examination.
• You'll lie on an examination table, with part of the body that requires imaging exposed.
• A lubricating jelly is applied to your skin over the examination area.
• The gel prevent friction and aids in the transmission of sound waves through the use of an transducer.
• An ultrasound technician will gently press a device called a transducer against your skin, the transducer emits capture live images of your internal organs and tissues
• Images are displayed on a monitor, after the procedure, the sonographer will clean off any remaining gel from your skin..
• Sonographers are trained technicians who perform the ultrasound examination and Radiologists are Physicians who interpret the ultrasound images.
• The cost varies widely depending on scan and healthcare facility: pregnancy $200-$1,000.

Explore blood tests: a medical procedure analyzing blood samples to assess health. It helps diagnose conditions, monitor diseases, and evaluate organ function. Learn about the procedure, importance, and potential disadvantages of blood testing.