Common Blood Tests

Question 1

Phenobarb Levels go into what tube

Answer 1

red top

Question 2

What is phenobarb

Answer 2

treats seizures in epileptic patients

Question 3

How often is phenobarb given

Answer 3

SID or BID

Question 4

How often should phenobarb levels be checked

Answer 4

every 3 months ideally, but can be done up to every six months, want therapeutic levels

Question 5

what happens if phenobarb levels are too high? too low?

Answer 5

too high= lethargy, inappetance, sedation

too low= break through seizures

Question 6

What are the two types of tests that can be done to check phenobarb levels

Answer 6

single sample check or

peak and trough, two blood samples drawn a specific time apart

Question 7

What is important when checking phenobarb levels

Answer 7

last time they took pill- needs to be 6-8 hous

Question 8

what tube should be used for potassium bromide test

Answer 8

red top

Question 9

what is potassium bromide

Answer 9

an anticonvulsant to treat epileptic patients

Question 10

how often is potassium bromide given

Answer 10

SID or BID

Question 11

when is KBR effective

Answer 11

when within therapeutic ranges

Question 12

how often do you test KBR

Answer 12

one blood sample is taken every 3 to 6 months. 3 months is more ideal

Question 13

What tube is used to test digoxin levels

Answer 13

red top

Question 14

Digoxin is also called

Answer 14

digitalis

Question 15

what is digoxin used for? what are some side effects?

Answer 15

heart related problems. loss of app, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, blurred vision, confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, depression

Question 16

Why is it important to test digoxin levels frequently? how often should they be tested?

Answer 16

there is a narrow margin between effectiveness and toxicity, should be checked every three months

Question 17

what tube should be used for t4 levels test

Answer 17

red or tiger

Question 18

what does the T4 test test for

Answer 18

basic hormone levels produced by the thyroid, looking for an imbalance

Question 19

how often should T4 test be done if you are concerned

Answer 19

every three months

Question 20

when should be the last time the pet took their pill when you are taking a T4 test

Answer 20

6-8 hours before

Question 21

What medications are given if you are hypothyroid

Answer 21

levothyroxine (soloxine)

Question 22

what medications are given if you are hyperthyroid

Answer 22

tapazole (methimazole)

Question 23

What tube should be used for free T4 levels

Answer 23

red or tiger

Question 24

what does the free T4 level test do

Answer 24

can differentiate between true hypo/hyper thyroid and a sick thyroid- meaning the thryroid is functioning normally but not producing hormones at normal levels; this test is used to confirm the diagnosis before treatment but may be done after initiating medication

Question 25

what tube should be used for a CBC

Answer 25

lavender top- small to send out and large for in-house

Question 26

what is a CBC

Answer 26

complete blood count, assesses the quantity and quality of the red and white blood cells and platelets, provides an overview, high or low results could end up pointing to a variety of diseases

Question 27

What are the other names for 3 types of blood cells

Answer 27

RBC= erthyrocytes 
WBC= leukocytes
Platelets= thrombocytes

Question 28

what type of tube should a chemistry be put in

Answer 28

tiger

Question 29

what is a chemistry test for

Answer 29

tests functions of specific organs, may be for a wellness check or in sick patients

Question 30

what type of tube should a quantitiative C6 be put in

Answer 30

tiger

Question 31

what does a C6 test do?

Answer 31

determines if an animal has been exposed to borrelia burgdorferi and how much

Question 32

when is a C6 test usually done

Answer 32

after a positive 4DX to verify the severity of infection or during/after treatment to verify effectiveness

Question 33

What does a 4DX test for

Answer 33

lyme, heartworm, anaplasmosis, erlichia