CH 26 Key Terms - Intro to Medical Lab

Question 1

baseline values

Answer 1

baseline - known or initial measurement against which future measurements are compared; also, flat, horizontal line that separates the various waves of the ECG cycle.

Question 2

biopsy

Answer 2

removal of a small piece of living tissue from an organ or other part of the body for microscopic examination to confirm or establish a diagnosis.

Question 3

clinical diagnosis

Answer 3

identification of a disease by history, lab studies, and symptoms.

Question 4

control test

Answer 4

test of a sample with known results used to cmpare with the results of a patient’s sample.

Question 5

cytology

Answer 5

scientific study of cells

Question 6

differential diagnosis

Answer 6

diagnosis based on comparison of symptoms of similar diseases

Question 7

DNA

Answer 7

deoxyribonucleic acid; important nuclear material that carries genetic code.

Question 8

hematology

Answer 8

study of blood and blood forming tissues

Question 9

histology

Answer 9

study of a tissue biopsy sample for the determination of disease.

Question 10

immunology

Answer 10

study of the components of the immune system and their function

Question 11

microbiology

Answer 11

branch of biology dealing with the study of microscopic forms of life

Question 12

mycology

Answer 12

study of fungi

Question 13

ova and parasite (O & P)

Answer 13

stool sample sent to laboratory to determine if a parasite or it’s eggs can be visualized.

Question 14

panel

Answer 14

series of tests related to a particular organ or organ system of body function. IE: liver panel would check many different functions of the liver. Previously known as a profile.

Question 15

parasitology

Answer 15

study of organisms (parasites and their eggs) that live within or on another organism and at the expense of that organism

Question 16

patient service centers

Answer 16

satellite laboratory facilities located in conveneient areas for patients where specimens can be collected or dropped off.

Question 17

peak

Answer 17

opposite of trough. Point at which a drug is at it’s highest level in the body, usually about 18 minutes after administration. In lab tests, the peak would tell the provider the strongest influence the drug would have on the body at that particular dose.

Question 18

physician’s office laboratory (POL)

Answer 18

laboratory within a physician’s office where common office lab tests are performed.

Question 19

point-of-care testing (POCT)

Answer 19

AKA near-patient testing or bedside testing, as it brings the portable laboratory services directly to where the patient is located, wherever that may be.

Question 20

qualitative tests

Answer 20

analyses to identify quality or characteristics of components, such as size, shape, and maturity of cells.

Question 21

quantitative tests

Answer 21

analyses that can identify quantity or actual number counts such as counting the number of blood cells

Question 22

reagents

Answer 22

chemical substance that detects or synthesizes other substances in a chemical reaction; used in laboratory analyses because it is known to react in a specific way.

Question 23

reference laboratories

Answer 23

independent, regionally located laboratories used by hospitals for complex, expensive, or specialized tests.

Question 24

reference ranges

Answer 24

AKA normal value, normal range, or reference value; range of values that includes 95% of test results for a normal healthy population.

Question 25

requisition

Answer 25

request form sent with a specimen specifying tests to be performed on the specimen; most common tests are separated into logical categories with additional space for writing special requests.

Question 26

therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM)

Answer 26

periodic blood tests to determine the effectiveness of a particular drug. Drugs will have a therapeutic level that must be attained in order for the drug to be therapeutic or effective. If the blood level of the drug is below the range of therapeutic effectiveness, the provider will probably increase the dosage. Likewise, if the drug is above the therapeutic range, the provider will likely lower dosage.

Question 27

toxicology

Answer 27

tests for toxic substances in blood and monitors drug usage, therapeutic levels of medication, or toxicity of drugs being used.

Question 28

trough

Answer 28

the opposite of peak, the point at which the drug is at it’s lowest level in the body. Usu occurs just before next dose is administered. Trough tells physician the weakest influence the drug would have on the body at that particular dose.

Question 29

virology

Answer 29

study of viruses.