Laboratory Related Terms

Question 1

Needle gauge

Answer 1

Gauge = diameter; smaller gauge = fatter needle

Question 2

sterile

Answer 2

Without contamination by microorganisms

Question 3

waived tests

Answer 3

lowest level of lab tests according to the Clinical Lab Improvement Amendment

Question 4

clotting factors

Answer 4

13 major an many minor proteins in the blood that help a patient clot (help coagulation occur)

Question 5

hemolysis

Answer 5

The “lysis” or bursting of red blood cells. Ruins potassium tests

Question 6

centrifuge

Answer 6

An instrument that spins samples to separate cells from liquid

Question 7

iodine

Answer 7

An antiseptic sometimes used in drawing blood cultures

Question 8

septicemia

Answer 8

Infection in the blood

Question 9

bacteremia

Answer 9

bacteria in the blood

Question 10

glucosuria

Answer 10

glucose in the urine

Question 11

anemia

Answer 11

literally means “without blood” but refers to a condition when red blood cells aren’t able to deliver enough oxygen to the tissues

Question 12

hematocrit

Answer 12

A calculation of the % RBC per whole volume of blood

Question 13

basilic

Answer 13

A vessel of the forearm sometimes used for venipucture

Question 14

diabetes

Answer 14

Diabetes mellitus is a disease in which sugars can’t be broken down due to an insulin problem

Question 15

antibody

Answer 15

A substance that can be made in the blood in response to exposure to an antigen

Question 16

patient’s bill of rights

Answer 16

An extension of the American Hospital Associations pledge to protect patients when under medical care

Question 17

fasting

Answer 17

not eating or drinking

Question 18

malpractice

Answer 18

Intentional wrongdoing

Question 19

venule

Answer 19

the name for the smallest veins

Question 20

hemoglobin

Answer 20

the chemical inside RBC’s that carries oxygen to tissues

Question 21

time dependent

Answer 21

A test that is time dependent must be drawn at specified times, i.e. after a drug is administered, or at certain times of the day.

Question 22

hyponatremia

Answer 22

low levels of sodium in the blood

Question 23

hypernatremia

Answer 23

high levels of sodium in the blood

Question 24

median cubital

Answer 24

The vein most commonly accessed in the adult arm for venipuncture

Question 25

vaccination

Answer 25

An injection ( or oral) that provides protection from infection with microorganisms

Question 26

evacuated drawing tubes

Answer 26

Vacutainers or blood collection tubes

Question 27

tourniquet

Answer 27

A stretchy band that is tied on the arm of a patient before blood collection by venipuncture to allow blood to pool in the veins of the arm

Question 28

electrolytes

Answer 28

The cations and anions that are found in the blood; K, Na, CO2, Cl and more

Question 29

hematuria

Answer 29

the presence of blood in urine

Question 30

medical ethics

Answer 30

The study of right and wrong action in a medical issue

Question 31

palpate

Answer 31

to tap with light pressure. i.e. locating a good vein for venipuncture

Question 32

desinfectant

Answer 32

A chemical that can be used on a surface to kill or remove pathogenic (disease causing) organisms

Question 33

hemostasis

Answer 33

Blood stoppage

Question 34

inflammation

Answer 34

Collection of WBCs that forms redness or oozing, usually indicating infection

Question 35

infection

Answer 35

Collection of microorganisms that cause disease

Question 36

human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Answer 36

Hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy and found in both urine and blood

Question 37

hypokalemia

Answer 37

low levels of potassium in the blood

Question 38

hyperkalemia

Answer 38

high levels of potassium in the blood

Question 39

outpatient

Answer 39

Patients who are not admitted to hospitals for overnight stays but are treated and released

Question 40

systolic pressure

Answer 40

The working pressure

Question 41

capillary

Answer 41

The smallest vessels that connect the arteriole to the venous system

Question 42

arteriole

Answer 42

The smallest type of artery

Question 43

antibiotic

Answer 43

medicine that can be used to fight infection with bacteria

Question 44

coagulation

Answer 44

A phase in the blood clotting sequence in which factors are released and interact to form a clot

Question 45

cholesterol

Answer 45

A type of fat or lipid in the bloodstream

Question 46

artery

Answer 46

A vessel that moves blood away from the heart

Question 47

aseptic

Answer 47

Litteraly "without sepsis" or without infection

Question 48

inpatient

Answer 48

A patient who stays overnight in a hospital

Question 49

bilirubin

Answer 49

A normal by-product of RBC aging that can cause problems if abnormally high. When collected, it should be kept from light as it breaks down.

Question 50

vein

Answer 50

A vessel that moves blood to the heart

Question 51

negligence

Answer 51

A legal term referring to the failure to act or perform duties according to the standards of the profession

Question 52

differential smear

Answer 52

A drop of whole blood that is spread along a glass slide to produce a field of cells that is one cell thick, so that the cells can be observed and counted after staining.

Question 53

jugular

Answer 53

prominent vein in the neck

Question 54

microorganisms

Answer 54

Any living organisms that are microscopic in size, i.e. you need a microscope to see them (bacteria, fungi, virus etc.)

Question 55

nosocomial infectins

Answer 55

An infection that a patient acquires while in a hospital setting

Question 56

diastolic pressure

Answer 56

The resting, or second, blood pressure reading

Question 57

blood culture

Answer 57

A method for growing an infectious microorganism found in patient blood, to determine its identity

Question 58

isolation

Answer 58

the complete separation from others of a person suffering from contagious or infectious disease