Unit 3 Diagnostic Testing Definitions

Question 1

Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT)

Answer 1

Coagulation blood test used to detect bleeding disorders caused by abnormalities of the intrinsic clotting system and to monitor the effectiveness of heparin.

Question 2

Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)

Answer 2

An enzyme found primarily in the liver and also found in the kidneys, heart, and skeletal muscles.

Question 3

Albumin

Answer 3

The major plasma protein, primarily responsible for maintaining fluid balance by providing colloidal osmotic pressure in the blood.

Question 4

Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)

Answer 4

An enzyme found primarily in the liver levels, which is a useful indicator of liver and bone disease.

Question 5

Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)

Answer 5

A diagnostic test that examines arterial blood to assess a patient’s oxygenation stats and acid-base balance.

Question 6

Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)

Answer 6

An enzyme found primarily in the heart, liver, and muscle that is released after cell death or injury.

Question 7

Basic Metabolic Panel

Answer 7

A commonly ordered diagnostic test that measures electrolytes, carbon dioxide ,glucose, and renal function.

Question 8

Basophils

Answer 8

A type of white blood cell that is involved in the inflammatory response to injury.

Question 9

Bilirubin

Answer 9

A component of bile that is synthesized in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow.

Question 10

Biopsy

Answer 10

Removal of a sample of cells to detect cancer.

Question 11

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)

Answer 11

A kidney function test that measures urea in the blood.

Question 12

Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)

Answer 12

A hormone produced by myocardial cells and released from the ventricle during times of increased pressure or overload such as in heart failure.

Question 13

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

Answer 13

A protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation, tissue damage, and infection.

Question 14

Cholesterol

Answer 14

A waxy, fatlike substance found in all cells of the body.

Question 15

Computed Tomography (CT)

Answer 15

A radiologic procedure in which the use of a special scanner allows cross-sectional images of an organ to be visualized.

Question 16

Creatine Kinase (CK)

Answer 16

An enzyme found primarily in skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, brain tissue.

Question 17

Creatinine

Answer 17

A waste product of skeletal muscle metabolism that is excreted via the kidneys.

Question 18

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Answer 18

A recording of electrical current generated by the heart during depolarization and repolarization of the cardiac muscle.

Question 19

Endoscopy

Answer 19

An examination of the interior of an organ or cavity by means of a fiberoptic scope.

Question 20

Eosinophils

Answer 20

A type of white blood cell that destroys parasites and is involved in allergic reactions.

Question 21

Erythrocytes

Answer 21

Red blood cells

Question 22

Fiberoptics

Answer 22

A system in which flexible glass or plastic fibers are used to transmit light around curves and corners, which allows direct visualization of hte area of interest

Question 23

Fibrinogen

Answer 23

An essential component of blood clottin that converts into fibrin threads in the presence of ionized calcium.

Question 24

Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGTP)

Answer 24

An enzyme found primarily in the liver and biliary tract that assists in transporting amino acids across cell membranes.

Question 25

Globulins

Answer 25

Plasma proteins classified as alpha, beta, and gamma globulins; some function as antibodies, whereas others are responsible for enzymatic functions and the transport of lipids, iron, and copper in the blood.

Question 26

Hemoccult

Answer 26

A test for hidden blood in the stool.

Question 27

Hemoglobin (HBG)

Answer 27

A protein responsible for oxygen transport to and carbon dioxide transport from the erythrocytes.

Question 28

Hemolysis

Answer 28

Red blood cell destruction.

Question 29

High-Density Lioprotein (HDL)

Answer 29

A lipoprotein that transports excess cholesterol from the tissues back to the liver, where it is broken down and excreted in bile.

Question 30

Homocysteine

Answer 30

An amino acid formed in the conversion of methionine to cysteine.

Question 31

International Normalized Ratio (INR)

Answer 31

A coagulation blood test that is a standardized ratio to monitor the effect of anticoagulant therapy.

Question 32

Leukocytes

Answer 32

White blood cells

Question 33

Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)

Answer 33

A lipoprotein that transports cholesterol from the liver to various parts of the body.

Question 34

Lymphocytes

Answer 34

A type of white blood cell that recognizes foreign antigens, produces antibodies, and creates memory cells.

Question 35

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Answer 35

A superconducting magnet and radiofrequency waves cause hydrogen nuclei to emit signals that are translated by a computer into a well-defined image of the structure.

Question 36

Mammograms

Answer 36

Soft tissue x-rays that allow visualization of the underlying breast tissue.

Question 37

Monocytes

Answer 37

A type of white blood cell involved in phagocytosis; they become macrophages.

Question 38

Myoglobin

Answer 38

An oxygen-transporting and storage protein found in cardiac and skeletal muscle.

Question 39

Neutrophils

Answer 39

A type of white blood cell that acts as first defenders against bacterial and fungal infections, foreign antigens, and cell debris.

Question 40

Paracentesis

Answer 40

A needle aspiration that involves removing fluid from the peritoneal cavity.

Question 41

Prealbumin

Answer 41

A plasma protein synthesized by the liver and considered a precise measure of nutritional status.

Question 42

Prothrombin Time (PT)

Answer 42

A coagulation blood test that detects bleeding disorders caused by abnormalities of the extrinsic clotting system, and used to monitor the effectiveness of anticoagulant therapy.

Question 43

Radiography

Answer 43

The use of x-rays to visualize bones, organs, and soft tissues for abnormalities.

Question 44

Steatorrhea

Answer 44

Fecal Fat.

Question 45

Thoracentesis

Answer 45

A needle aspiration that removes fluid from the pleural space.

Question 46

Thrombocytes

Answer 46

Platelets

Question 47

Triglycerides

Answer 47

The most abundant lipids in food.

Question 48

Troponin I

Answer 48

Proteins found exclusively in cardiac muscle and released during myocardial damage.

Question 49

Troponin T

Answer 49

Proteins found exclusively in cardiac muscle and released during myocardial damage.

Question 50

Ultrasound

Answer 50

A procedure that provides visualization of soft tissue organs by recording and measuring the reflection of ultrasonic waves.

Question 51

Urobilinogen

Answer 51

Substance produced by the breakdown of bilirubin in the intestines.

Question 52

Venipuncture

Answer 52

Insertion of a needle directly into a vein.