interpreting blood tests Flashcards
(24 cards)
What does urea and electrolytes testing measure?
Fluid balance, varies on diet, activity, and environment
Important for assessing kidney function and hydration status.
Why is water intake important?
Helps excretion of waste products in the urine
Adequate hydration is essential for kidney health.
How do kidneys regulate water balance?
Filtered water, some reabsorbed depending on the hormone ADH
ADH stands for Antidiuretic Hormone, which influences water reabsorption.
What tests are included in urea and electrolytes?
Na, K, Urea, Creatinine, eGFR
eGFR stands for estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate, a key indicator of kidney function.
What information does a Full Blood Count (FBC) provide?
Information on RBC, WBC, and platelets
Essential for diagnosing various medical conditions.
Where are RBC, WBC, and platelets produced?
All made from stem cells in the bone marrow
This process is regulated by growth factors.
What does FBC measure?
Hb, platelets, reticulocytes, mean cell volume, and RBC
Hb stands for hemoglobin, a key component of red blood cells.
What does WCC stand for?
White Cell Count
A crucial test for assessing immune system function.
What does a high WCC indicate?
Leucocytosis
Can result from bacterial infections, inflammation, leukaemia, and blood disorders.
What causes high WCC?
Meds, bone marrow disorder, liver disease, enlarged spleen, immune system diseases
Various conditions can lead to elevated white blood cell counts.
What are the different types of white blood cells?
Neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, T and B lymphocytes
Each type has a specific role in the immune response.
What does LFT stand for?
Liver Function Test
LFTs assess liver health and function.
What does an increased level of albumin indicate?
Hepatic protein synthesis and maintenance of oncotic pressure
Albumin helps bind to water.
What condition is indicated by elevated bilirubin levels?
Liver disease (jaundice)
Jaundice is characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes.
What do raised levels of ALT and AST indicate?
Hepatocellular injury and death
ALT and AST are enzymes released into the bloodstream when liver cells are damaged.
What does an increase in ALP levels indicate?
Problems with bile flow
ALP is an enzyme associated with the bile ducts.
What does gamma GT signify?
Biliary epithelial damage and obstruction of bile flow
Elevated gamma GT levels are indicative of cholestasis.
What does a patient’s INR indicate?
Lack of clotting factors production and liver disease
INR is a measure of blood clotting ability.
What is C-reactive protein (CRP)?
An acute phase reactant made by the liver
CRP levels rise in response to inflammation or infection.
What can increased concentrations of CRP in the blood indicate?
Tissue injury, infection, or inflammation
CRP levels can rise significantly after a heart attack or surgical procedure.
True or False: CRP is often the first evidence of inflammation in the body.
True
CRP levels can rise before other clinical indicators like pain or fever.
Fill in the blank: The concentration of CRP in the blood can jump a ________-fold in response to inflammation.
thousand
This significant increase highlights CRP’s sensitivity to inflammation.
Three drugs that cause hyperkalaemia?
- ACEi
- ARB
- potassium sparing diuretics
- heparins
Hyperkalaemia is an elevated level of potassium in the blood, which can have serious health implications.
Three drugs that cause hyponatraemia?
- SSRIs
- diuretics
- NSAIDs
- carbamazepine
Hyponatraemia refers to low sodium levels in the blood, which can lead to various neurological symptoms.
