Common diagnostic & laboratory tests

1. COMMON
DIAGNOSTIC
&
LABORATORY
TESTS
Jamilah Saad Alqahtani
Nurse Lecturer, MSN, TOT,
OR Nurse Specialist, RGN,
BSN

2. AT THE END OF THIS LECTURE, THE
STUDENT WILL BE ABLE TO:
Identify the common laboratory
specimens.
Identify the routine tests and
procedures.
Identify some of the contrast media
procedures.
Compare some of the endoscopic
studies.

3. COMMON LABORATORY
SPECIMENS
BLOOD URINE SPUTUM TISSUE
BIOPSIES
SECRETIONS STOOL

4. LABORATORY
STUDIES

5. 1. Complete Blood Count (CBC)
•Carry oxygen from the lungs to the
body parts.
•Low levels : anemia and bleeding
Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes)
•Are part of the immune system that
fights infections and diseases.
•High levels : infection
•Low levels : blood cancer and immune
system disorder
White Blood Cells (Leukocytes)

6. 1. Complete Blood Count
(CBC)
• Platelets (Thrombocytes)
• Help the blood to clot and stop
bleeding.
• Low levels : bleeding disorders
(hemophilia)
• High levels : thrombotic disorders
(thrombophilia).
• Hemoglobin
• Iron-rich protein in RBCs that
carries oxygen.
• Low levels : sickle cell anemia.

7. 1. Complete Blood
Count (CBC)
•Hematocrit
•Is the volume
percentage (%) of RBC
in the blood.
•High level :
dehydration
•Low level : anemia

8. 2. Blood Chemistry Tests
Measures different chemicals in the
blood using the plasma.
Includes blood glucose, calcium,
electrolytes, blood urea nitrogen
(BUN) and creatinine.
May require fasting (NPO-nothing
per orem) before the test.

9. 2. Blood Chemistry
Tests
Blood Glucose or
Blood Sugar
 A type of sugar that the
body uses for energy.
 High levels :
hyperglycemia (may be a
sign of diabetes)
 Low levels :
hypoglycemia
Calcium
 Abnormal levels : kidney
and bone problems.

10. • Electrolytes
• Are minerals that help maintain
fluid balance.
• Abnormal levels : dehydration,
kidney and liver diseases and
high blood pressure.
• Kidneys
• Kidney function test measure
the levels of BUN and creatinine.
• Both are waste products the
kidneys remove from the body.
• Abnormal levels : kidney
disease.
2. Blood Chemistry Tests

11. 3. Blood Enzymes Tests
Blood enzymes that check for
heart attack include troponin and
creatinine kinase (CK).
• Troponin - A muscle protein that helps
the muscles contract.
• Creatine Kinase - CK-MB is released
when the heart muscle is damaged.

12. 4. Blood Tests To Assess Heart Disease Risk
NOTE! 9-12 hours fasting is required
Total cholesterol.
LDL (bad) cholesterol.
 May block the coronary artery.
HDL (good) cholesterol.
 Helps decrease blockages in the coronary arteries.
Triglycerides.
 Determines the level of fat (lipid) in the blood.

13. 5. Blood Clotting Tests
• Also called coagulation test.
• Checks protein (e.g.
prothrombin) in the blood that
affect the blood clotting process.
• Abnormal levels : bleeding or clot
formation in the blood vessels.
• Used to monitor patients on
warfarin or heparin medication.

14. URINE TEST (URINALYSIS)
A routine test
checks different components
of urine (a waste product
made by the kidneys).
help identify or exclude
kidney diseases and metabolic
diseases like diabetes
“Clean” midstream urine is
used to get an accurate result
and avoid contamination by
external bacteria,

15. A rapid urine test is the quickest
way to test urine
The following substances can be
checked using a rapid urine test:
 pH value (acidity of urine: normal is 5 to
7): pH over 7 indicates urinary tract
infection
 Protein (kidney inflammation if increased)
 Glucose (high blood sugar if
 Ketone increased)
 RBC
 WBC (bacterial infection if increased)
 Bilirubin

16. A 24-hour urine collection
 First urine sample is discarded
 Every single drop of urine is collected in a
container thereafter
 Container contains a substance in it to
prevent bacterial growth
 Kept in a refrigerator for the entire 24-hour
period.
 Sent to the laboratory for analysis.

17. STOOL
TESTS/ANALYSIS
Helps
diagnose digestive
problems.
Includes infection (such
as from parasites,
viruses, or bacteria) and
colon cancer.
The stool will be tested
for:
 Color, consistency, amount,
shape, odor