Chapter I Introduction to the Course
Terms and Abbreviations
Amniocentesis – is a procedure that includes the insertion of a needle into the suprapubic area after the fetus has been located and manually elevated and the aspiration of 5 to 15 ml of amniotic fluid. Ultrasound may be used to locate the placenta and fetal position so that needle contact may be avoided. Amniocentesis is usually performed from the 14th to 16th week of pregnancy; usually never before the 14th week due to insufficient amounts of amniotic fluid.
Anatomic Pathology – This field of pathology deals with structural changes. These changes may be apparent to the examiner with the naked eye, or a microscopic examination may be needed.
Blood Bank (Immunohematology) – We all know of the responsibility of the blood bank in obtaining, storing, and dispensing blood for transfusions. There are other functions including: obtaining and handling other blood products, some of which are rare; and also research in blood transmitted diseases.
Bronchography, Bronochogram – Bronchography is an x-ray examination that visualizes the trachea, bronchi, and the bronchial tree.
Clinical Chemistry – This section of the lab performs analyses on whole blood, serum, plasma, urine, and other biological specimens like cerebrospinal fluid, amniocentesis fluid, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, and feces.
Clinical Microbiology- This section of the lab is involved with a variety of biological specimens such as: urine, feces, blood, sputum, CSF, drainage, exudates, nail, skin, tissue, and swabs from throat, wounds, and other such specimens.
Clinical Pathology- Clinical pathology refers to the section of the pathology lab which applies to the problem of finding solutions to the problems found in the clinical areas. The members of this team include medical technologists, medical scientists, technicians and pathologists. Together they perform tests and investigations into all aspects of disease, including prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Cytology- Cytology is the study of the individual cells. This department has cytologists and cytotechnologists who are trained to perform preliminary screening on cells. Any of these suspicious cells are then usually examined by the pathologist.
Cytogenics- Cytogenics is the branch of genetics that studies cellular components concerned with heredity; primarily the structure, function, and origin of the chromosomes.
Diagnostic Test – A Diagnostic Test is an inquiry into a pathological condition. A diagnostic test can be thought of as any test used to help diagnose a pathological condition. However, for our text, we will say that a diagnostic test is a test that involves some type of sophisticated diagnostic equipment and/or lab tests. We will not refer to simple blood and lab tests as diagnostic tests. (Although you could argue that these blood tests, etc. are simple diagnostic tests.) For our text we will reserve diagnostic tests for those more sophisticated tests and procedures.
Erythrocyte – An erythrocyte is a mature Red Blood Cell. Immature red blood cells cannot carry oxygen. Immature red blood cells are true cells and contain a nucleus. The erythrocyte has lost its nucleus and then it “technically” cannot be called a cell. It is a corpuscle. However, many persons still refer to erythrocytes as Red Blood Cells or RBC’s.
Fasting Specimen – Instruct the patient not to eat or drink after midnight the night before the test. Do not eat or drink in the morning before the specimen is collected. It is usually a good idea to place a sign on the bed to be sure no one gives the patient food. Again, check with hospital policy, and lab policy. The patient may be allowed small amounts of water prior to some tests.
First Voided Specimen (First morning specimen) – As the name implies, the first specimen of the day is to be obtained. However, some facilities insist the specimen be at a certain time in the morning. Be sure to check policy at your facility.
Hematology – This department is responsible for the quantification of cellular elements, including red and white blood cells and platelets. Many of the tests are today performed by electronic means. However, some of the tests are performed by manual means. Many nurses may have closer contact to this department than most other departments of the lab. The reason for this is that the hematology section performs those tests often seen in patients who are on chemotherapy, anticoagulant therapy, and cardiac therapy, and have frequent blood cell evaluations. Blood coagulation studies are also performed in this section of the lab. The diagnosis and treatment of blood clotting disorders are the two most important functions of this section.
Hemoglobin – Hemoglobin is the main component of Red Blood Corpuscles (RBC’s). Hemoglobin is a conjugated protein that “carries” oxygen and transports it to all the body cells. Hemoglobin also carries carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs for excretion. Three major types of hemoglobin are found in normal blood: they are: Hgb A, Hgb A2, and Hgb F.
Histology – Histology is the study of the microscopic structure of tissues and cells. Histology technicians prepare frozen sections and surgical and autopsy tissues by slicing them in less than paper thickness, mounting them on slides, and finally staining them with special dyes. The slides will then be examined and interpreted, usually by a pathologist.
Pathology – is the study of disease, its nature and cause. Roles of the pathologist:
- Provide supervision in the medical laboratory
- Evaluate laboratory results
- Identify disease
- Evaluate treatment
- Ascertain the cause of death by means of autopsies
- Advance medicine through research
Plasma – Plasma is the liquid portion of whole blood after centrifuging. Whole blood is spun in a centrifuge removing the solid portions of the blood, such as red and white blood cells and other solid particles. The plasma is thick and rich with dissolved chemicals and other substances such as proteins and other chemicals.
Random Sample – The term random, refers to taking a sample (any sample) at any time during the day (or night). Random means that you do not have to take the sample at a particular time. Sometimes the sample may have other stipulations. You might have to take the sample on a certain day. If the test is ordered today, you generally take the sample today (unless ordered differently).
Second-Voided Urine Specimen – This is a urine sample obtained after the patient has emptied his/her bladder. Generally the second sample is obtained 30 minutes after the patient has emptied the bladder. However, some hospitals have different policies for this time interval. Some hospitals will have you wait until the patient is ready to void again. Always check with your hospital policy.
Next: Chapter I: Introduction to the Course Continued |