Laboratory Diagnostics PDF

**Chapter 16** **Introduction to laboratory diagnostics 1** **Laboratory Tests** Laboratory tests assist healthcare providers in evaluating client health and making informed decisions. Tests can be ordered for screening, evaluation of drug effectiveness, diagnosis confirmation, or ruling out cli...

**Chapter 16** **Introduction to laboratory diagnostics 1** **Laboratory Tests** Laboratory tests assist healthcare providers in evaluating client health and making informed decisions. Tests can be ordered for screening, evaluation of drug effectiveness, diagnosis confirmation, or ruling out clinical issues. Lab results influence clinical decision-making and client care plans. Comprehending laboratory terminology is essential for safe and efficient care. Normal Ranges vs. Reference Ranges Normal ranges are determined by analyzing results from a large group of healthy individuals. Ranges can vary depending on factors like age and gender. For example, males have a higher hemoglobin level than females. Critical Values Critical values represent dangerously abnormal results requiring immediate action to prevent life-threatening situations. Post-Test Considerations Post-test assessments may be necessary depending on the results obtained. **16-1. CHEMISTRY TESTS** **Chemistry Tests** **Chemistry tests measure chemical components in bodily fluids and tissues to identify abnormalities.** **Blood and urine are commonly used specimens.** \* All lab values are shown in **SI** format. To ensure accuracy and to maintain optimal level of care for individuals receiving any lab tests or specimen collection, please refer to your workplace policies and procedures manual or contact the laboratory. +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Albumin (AL)** | | | +=======================+=======================+=======================+ | **Normal Range** | 35--50 g/L \* | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Indications** | Used to diagnose and | | | | monitor diseases of | | | | the liver, impaired | | | | nutrition, chronic | | | | edema, and cancer. | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Test Explanation** | Component of total | | | | serum protein | | | | (pre-albumin, | | | | albumin, and | | | | globulins). Albumin | | | | is a protein that is | | | | made in the liver. | | | | Albumin maintains | | | | colloidal osmotic | | | | pressure. | | | | | | | | **Blood Tube:** Red | | | | **Urine:** 24-hour | | | | urine collection. | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Purpose** | Used to check liver | | | | and kidney function. | | | | Find out if diet | | | | contains enough | | | | protein. | | | | | | | | Helps determine cause | | | | of edema to | | | | extremities, abdomen. | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Interfering | Drugs that interrupt | | | Factors** | normal serum | | | | electrophoretic | | | | patterns (e.g., | | | | Aspirin, | | | | bicarbonates, | | | | corticosteroids, | | | | salicylates). | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Results and | **Lower** | **Higher** | | Significance** | | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | | Indicative of | Severe dehydration | | | malnutrition | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | | Liver disease | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | | Ascites | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | | Inflammatory disease | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | | Autoimmune disorder | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | | GI malabsorption | | | | syndromes | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | | Pregnancy | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ \* All lab values are shown in **SI** format. To ensure accuracy and to maintain optimal level of care for individuals receiving any lab tests or specimen collection, please refer to your workplace policies and procedures manual or contact the laboratory. +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Ammonia (AMM, | | | | NH3)** | | | +=======================+=======================+=======================+ | **Normal Range** | 6--47 mcmol/L | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Indications** | Used to diagnose | | | | severe liver | | | | diseases. | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Test Explanation** | Measures the amount | | | | of ammonia in the | | | | blood. Ammonia in the | | | | body is created by | | | | the breakdown of | | | | protein. The liver | | | | converts ammonia to | | | | urea, which is | | | | excreted as urine in | | | | the kidneys. | | | | | | | | **Blood Tube**: Green | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Purpose** | Check liver function. | | | | | | | | Check success of | | | | treatment for severe | | | | liver disease (e.g., | | | | cirrhosis). Check | | | | levels in a person | | | | receiving total | | | | parenteral nutrition. | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Interfering | Smoking. | | | Factors** | | | | | Eating high-protein | | | | or low-protein diet. | | | | | | | | Drugs that increase | | | | blood ammonia (e.g., | | | | Loop diuretics, | | | | narcotics, thiazides, | | | | alcohol). | | | | | | | | Drugs that decrease | | | | blood ammonia (e.g., | | | | broad spectrum | | | | antibiotics, | | | | levodopa, potassium | | | | salts) | | | | | | | | Strenuous exercise | | | | before test. | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Results and** | **Lower** | **Higher** | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Significance** | Essential or | Liver disease | | | malignant | (cirrhosis or | | | hypertension | hepatitis) | | | | | | | | Reye syndrome | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | | | Heart failure | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | | | Kidney failure | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | | | Severe bleeding from | | | | stomach or | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | | | intestines | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Amylase (AMY)** | | | +=======================+=======================+=======================+ | **Normal Range** | **Serum Amylase** | **Urine Amylase** | | | | | | | \