Blood Tests Flashcards
(30 cards)
Heparin anti-Xa
_Also known as: _Anti-Xa; Xa inhibition; antifactor Xa heparin; heparin
*Why get tested? *To monitor low molecular weight heparin (LWMH) therapy and sometimes to monitor unfractionated heparin (UFH) therapy
*When to get tested? *When you are being treated with LMWH or UFH and your doctor wants to monitor the amount of heparin in your blood
XM - Crossmatch
*Also know as: *ompatibility testing; XM
Why get tested? To enable the transfusion laboratory to select and issue the most appropriate and compatible blood for a transfusion.
When to get tested? If your doctor indicates that transfusion with blood or blood components may be required as part of your medical treatment.
*Sample required? *A blood sample drawn from a vein in the arm.
Frequency of testing? These tests will be performed prior to receiving a blood transfusion. Where medical treatment requires ongoing transfusions over a period of time the crossmatch will be repeated every 72 hours in order to reduce the possibility of a transfusion reaction.
Chickenpox and Shingles Tests
Also known as: Varicella Zoster Virus; VZV; Herpes Zoster
Why get tested? If your doctor suspects that you presently have, or recently had, chickenpox or shingles and a definitive diagnosis is necessary; to demonstrate immunity to the varicella zoster virus (VZV) or the potential for re-activating a VZV infection prior to receivingimmunosuppressive drugs
When to get tested? To check immune status and/or to identify an active infection; sometimes when a person has atypical and/or severe symptoms and the doctor wants to distinguish between a VZV infection and another cause; prior to an organ transplant or when a child, pregnant woman, or an immune-compromised person has been exposed to someone with chickenpox
Sample required? A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm for VZV antibody testing; to detect the virus itself, a sample of fluid from a blister (vesicle), blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or other body fluid or tissue
Urine culture
Also known as: Urine M/C/S
Why get tested? To diagnose a urinary tract infection UTI
When to get tested? If you experience symptoms of a UTI, such as pain during urination
Sample required? A mid-stream “clean” urine sample
Urea
Also known as: Blood urea nitrogen; BUN
Why get tested? To evaluate kidney function and monitor the effectiveness of dialysis
When to get tested? If you have non-specific symptoms that may indicate a kidney problem
Sample required? A blood sample drawn from a vein in the arm
Vancomycin
Why get tested? To measure and monitor the concentration of vancomycin in the blood
When to get tested? At intervals during vancomycin treatment
Sample required? A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm
Na - Sodium
Why get tested? To determine the cause of and monitor treatment for illnesses associated with abnormal sodium levels in the body
When to get tested? If you are experiencing dehydration, oedema, problems with blood pressure, or have non-specific symptoms; or as part of routine laboratory evaluations
Sample required? A blood sample drawn from a vein in the arm or, in some cases, a urine sample
Zinc protoporphyrin
Also known as: * *ZPP; ZP; Free erythrocyte protoporphyrin; FEP
Why get tested? To screen for and monitor chronic exposure to lead; to detect iron deficiency in children
When to get tested? When you have been chronically exposed to lead, as part of a programme to monitor lead exposure, and/or when your doctor suspects lead poisoning; as part of a screening programme for iron deficiency in children and adolescent
Vitamin B12 and folate
Also known as: Vitamin B12; cobalamin; folic acid; RBC folate
Why get tested? To help diagnose the cause of anaemia or neuropathy (nerve damage), to evaluate nutritional status in some patients, to monitor effectiveness of treatment for B12 or folate deficiency
When to get tested? When you have large red blood cells, when you have symptoms of anaemia and/or of neuropathy. When you are being treated for B12 or folate deficiency
Sample required? A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm
Test preparation needed? Fasting for 6-8 hours before sample collection is required especially for serum folate testing
Kidney Stone Analysis
Also known as: Urinary Stone Analysis; Calculus Analysis
Why get tested? To evaluate the composition of a kidney stone, to help determine the cause of its formation and to guide treatment
When to get tested? When a stone has passed through or been removed from your urinary tract
Sample required? A stone filtered from your urine or surgically removed from your urinary tract by a doctor
Urine metanephrines
Also known as; Metanephrine; normetanephrine
Why get tested? To help diagnose or rule out a phaeochromocytoma or other neuroendocrine tumour
When to get tested? If you have symptoms of persistent or episodic high blood pressure such as severe headaches, rapid heart rate, and sweating
Sample required? A 24-hour urine sample
Test preparation needed? Foods such as coffee (including decaf), tea, chocolate, vanilla, bananas, oranges and other citrus fruits should be avoided for several days prior to the test and during collection. There are also many medications that can potentially affect test results. Talk to your doctor about any prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs and supplements that you are taking. Wherever possible, those that are known to interfere should be discontinued prior to and during sample collection. Emotional and physical stresses and vigorous exercise should be minimised prior to and during test collection as they can increase catecholamine secretion.
Urine albumin/creatinine ratio
Also known as: UACR; urine microalbumin
Why get tested? To be screened for a possible risk of developing a kidney or cardiovascular disorder
When to get tested? Annually after a diagnosis of diabetes or hypertension (high blood pressure)
Vitamin D
Why get tested? To check for vitamin D deficiency or to investigate a problem related to bone metabolism, mineral levels in the blood or parathyroid function.
When to get tested? Your doctor may request a vitamin D measurement as part of a general check-up because vitamin D deficiency appears to be very common in Australia. Vitamin D measurement may also be requested if you have an abnormal calcium, phosphate, and/or parathyroid hormone level, as part of the investigation of some forms of bone disease or if you have kidney disease or a disease of the gastrointestinal tract that may result in malabsorption.
Sample required? A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm.
Urine albumin/creatinine ratio
Also known as; UACR; urine microalbumin
_Why get tested? _ To be screened for a possible risk of developing a kidney or cardiovascular disorder
*When to get tested? *Annually after a diagnosis of diabetes or hypertension (high blood pressure)
Sample required? A urine sample
Mycoplasma
Also known as: Mycoplasma by PCR; Mycoplasma serology; Mycoplasma culture; Ureaplasma culture
Why get tested? To detect an active or recent mycoplasma infection
When to get tested? When your doctor suspects that your respiratory or systemic symptoms are caused by a mycoplasma infection; when a genital infection may be caused by mycoplasma or ureaplasma
Sample required? A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm, a throat swab, sputum sample, body fluid or tissue sample; occasionally, a genital or urethral swab
Pertussis Bordetella pertussis Culture; Bordetella pertussis by PCR; Bordetella pertussis by DFA; Bordetella pertussis Antibodies (IgA, IgG, IgM)
Also known as: Whooping cough tests
Why get tested? To detect and diagnose a Bordetella pertussis infection
When to get tested? When you have persistent, sharp spasms or fits of coughing (paroxysms) that the doctor suspects is due to pertussis (whooping cough); when you have symptoms of a cold and have been exposed to someone with pertussis
Sample required? A nasopharyngeal (NP) swab or a nasal aspirate; occasionally, a blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm
Urinalysis
Also known as: Urine microscopy
Why get tested? To look for metabolic and kidney disorders
When to get tested? On admission to a hospital; preparation for surgery; as part of a medical examination; or when evaluating a new pregnancy. It may be done if you have tummy or back pain, frequent or painful urination, or blood in the urine
Sample required? Sample of urine (20-50 mls) in a sterile container
White blood cell count
Also known as: WBC; WCC; leukocyte count; white count
Why get tested? If your doctor thinks that you might have an infection or allergy and to monitor treatment
When to get tested? As part of a full blood count (FBC), which may be used for a variety of reasons
Sample required? A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm or by a fingerprick or heelprick
Protein and immunofixation electrophoresis
Also known as: Serum protein electrophoresis; SPE; urine protein electrophoresis; UPE; immunoelectrophoresis; immunofixation electrophoresis; IFE
Why get tested? To help diagnose and monitor multiple myeloma and a variety of other conditions that affect protein absorption, production and loss as seen in severe organ disease and altered nutritional states
When to get tested? If you have an abnormal total protein or albumin level or if your doctor suspects that you have a condition that affects protein concentrations in the blood and/or causes protein loss through the urine
Sample required? A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm; sometimes a random or 24-hour urine sample
Chickenpox and Shingles Tests
Also known as: Varicella Zoster Virus; VZV; Herpes Zoster
Why get tested? If your doctor suspects that you presently have, or recently had, chickenpox or shingles and a definitive diagnosis is necessary; to demonstrate immunity to the varicella zoster virus (VZV) or the potential for re-activating a VZV infection prior to receivingimmunosuppressive drugs
When to get tested? To check immune status and/or to identify an active infection; sometimes when a person has atypical and/or severe symptoms and the doctor wants to distinguish between a VZV infection and another cause; prior to an organ transplant or when a child, pregnant woman, or an immune-compromised person has been exposed to someone with chickenpox
Sample required? A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm for VZV antibody testing; to detect the virus itself, a sample of fluid from a blister (vesicle), blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or other body fluid or tissue
Protein and immunofixation electrophoresis
Also known as: Serum protein electrophoresis; SPE; urine protein electrophoresis; UPE; immunoelectrophoresis; immunofixation electrophoresis; IFE
Why get tested? To help diagnose and monitor multiple myeloma and a variety of other conditions that affect protein absorption, production and loss as seen in severe organ disease and altered nutritional states
When to get tested? If you have an abnormal total protein or albumin level or if your doctor suspects that you have a condition that affects protein concentrations in the blood and/or causes protein loss through the urine
Sample required? A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm; sometimes a random or 24-hour urine sample
Urine protein
Also known as: 24 hour urine protein; urine total protein; urine protein to creatinine ratio
Why get tested? To detect excessive protein escaping into the urine, to help evaluate and monitor kidney function, and to detect kidney damage
When to get tested? As part of a routine check-up, as a follow-up to a previous positive urine protein test, or if you have a disorder or disease that frequently affects the kidney
Sample required? A random or 24-hour urine sample; occasionally a split 24-hour sample, with the night collection separated from the day collection
von Willebrand Factor
Also known as
VWF:Ag; VWF:RCo; von Willebrand Panel; Ristocetin Cofactor
Why get tested? To help determine the cause of excessive or episodic bleeding, to diagnose von Willebrand’s disease (vWD), and to distinguish between different types of vWD
When to get tested? When you have a personal or family history of heavy, prolonged, and/or spontaneous bleeding; when your doctor suspects you may have a bleeding disorder
Sample required? A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm
Test preparation needed? There are a number of dietary factors, such as caffeine, and patient factors such as stress or pregnancy that will influence the test results. Instructions will be given before a test is performed.
Urinalysis
Also known as: Urine microscopy
Why get tested? To look for metabolic and kidney disorders
When to get tested? On admission to a hospital; preparation for surgery; as part of a medical examination; or when evaluating a new pregnancy. It may be done if you have tummy or back pain, frequent or painful urination, or blood in the urine
Sample required? Sample of urine (20-50 mls) in a sterile container
