What are lab tests used for in medical terms?
Laboratory tests are medical devices that are intended for use on samples of blood, urine, or other tissues or substances taken from the body to help diagnose disease or other conditions. Why does your doctor use lab tests? identify changes in your health condition before any symptoms occur diagnose or aid in diagnosing a disease or condition,
What is the purpose of patient preparation for laboratory tests?
The purpose of patient preparation for a laboratory test is to: A) Ensure that the test results fall within the normal range B) Ensure that the patient receives the proper treatment C) Reduce patient discomfort during specimen collection
How should laboratory test results be interpreted?
In general, laboratory test results must be interpreted in the context of the overall health of the patient and are considered along with the results of other examinations, tests, and procedures. A doctor who is familiar with a patient's medical history and current situation is the best person to explain test results and what they mean.
Who regulates laboratory testing?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the development and marketing of all laboratory tests that use test kits and equipment that are commercially manufactured in the United States.
Which of the following is an example of using a laboratory test to assist in the differential diagnosis of a patient's condition quizlet?
Which of the following is an example of using a laboratory test to assist in the DIFFERENTIAL diagnosis of a patient's condition? Performing a STREP test to determine if a patient has STREP THROAT or PHARYNGITIS.
Which of the following is an example of the acceptable reporting of routine lab results *?
Which of the following is an example of the acceptable reporting of routine lab results? Send the results to the physician in a marked envelope. This is the most confidential option.
What are the test done in laboratory?
There are common lab tests that are taken by patients such as complete blood count (CBC), urinalysis, and Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP). However, there are different types of laboratory tests or also called as specialized tests you can take.
What are 3 tests done in a lab?
Common Lab TestsComplete Blood Count. This test, also known as a CBC, is the most common blood test performed. ... Prothrombin Time. ... Basic Metabolic Panel. ... Comprehensive Metabolic Panel. ... Lipid Panel. ... Liver Panel. ... Thyroid Stimulating Hormone. ... Hemoglobin A1C.More items...
When preparing a patient for a Holter monitor which of the following actions should a medical assistant take?
A medical assistant is preparing a patient for wearing a Holter monitor. Which of the following instructions should the assistant include? You should avoid using an electric blanket during monitoring. A pharmacist calls the clinic to confirm an e-prescription to request to fill a patient's medication order.
Which of the following laboratory tests requires fasting?
The most common types of tests that require fasting include: Glucose tests, which measure blood sugar. One type of glucose test is called a glucose tolerance test. For this test you will need to fast for 8 hours before test.
Why are laboratory test used?
Laboratory tests can help determine a diagnosis, plan treatment, check to see if treatment is working, or monitor the disease over time.
Why is laboratory testing performed?
Laboratory tests are often part of a routine checkup to look for changes in your health. They also help doctors diagnose medical conditions, plan or evaluate treatments, and monitor diseases.
What are the four types of laboratory?
Diagnostic laboratories. Diagnostic laboratories primarily run tests on clinical specimens such as urine, blood, triglycerides, or cholesterols. ... Hospital laboratories. ... National laboratories. ... Clinical laboratories. ... Research and university laboratories.
What are types of laboratory?
Laboratory typesResearch and development (R&D) laboratories: Research laboratories are often unfairly characterized as "out of date" or outdated. ... Medical or Clinical laboratories: ... Biosafety Laboratories: ... Chemistry laboratory. ... Physics laboratory. ... Biological laboratory. ... Other.
How many laboratory tests are there?
The current list of tests offered by one major reference laboratory includes nearly 3,000 analytes, which does not include the additional array of more commonly ordered tests (eg, complete blood count [CBC], electrolytes [sodium, potassium, chloride, carbon dioxide], thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH], glucose, etc.)
What is the most common specimen tested in the laboratory?
The most common specimens used in clinical chemistry are blood and urine. Many different tests exist to detect and measure almost any type of chemical component in blood or urine. Components may include blood glucose, electrolytes, enzymes, hormones, lipids (fats), other metabolic substances, and proteins.
What are laboratory tests?
A laboratory test is a procedure in which a sample of blood , urine , other bodily fluid , or tissue is examined to get information about a...
How are laboratory tests used in cancer medicine?
Laboratory tests are used in cancer medicine in many ways: To screen for cancer or precancerous conditions before a person has any symptoms of...
Which laboratory tests are used in cancer medicine?
Categories of some common laboratory tests used in cancer medicine are listed below in alphabetical order. Blood chemistry test What it measures:...
How do I interpret my test results?
With some laboratory tests , the results obtained for healthy people can vary somewhat from person to person. Factors that can cause person-to-per...
What if a laboratory test result is unclear or inconclusive?
If a test result is unclear or inconclusive, the doctor will likely repeat the test to be certain of the result and may order additional tests. The...
What are some questions to ask the doctor about laboratory tests?
It can be helpful to take a list of questions to the doctor’s office. Questions about a laboratory test might include: What will this test measur...
How reliable are laboratory tests and their results?
The results of laboratory tests affect many of the decisions a doctor makes about a person’s health care, including whether additional tests are...
What new laboratory tests for cancer medicine are on the horizon?
Tests that measure the number of cancer cells in a sample of blood (circulating tumors cells) or examine the DNA of such cells are of great i...
What is a laboratory test?
What are laboratory tests? A laboratory test is a procedure in which a sample of blood, urine, other bodily fluid, or tissue is examined to get information about a person’s health. Some laboratory tests provide precise and reliable information about specific health problems.
How does a laboratory test affect a person's health care?
The results of laboratory tests affect many of the decisions a doctor makes about a person’s health care, including whether additional tests are necessary, developing a treatment plan, or monitoring a person’s response to treatment .
Why are DNA tests important in cancer?
Tests that measure the number of cancer cells in a sample of blood (circulating tumors cells) or examine the DNA of such cells are of great interest in cancer medicine because research suggests that levels of these cells might be useful for evaluating response to treatment and detecting cancer recurrence.
Why do doctors use other tests?
Other tests provide more general information that helps doctors identify or rule out possible health problems. Doctors often use other types of tests, such as imaging tests, in addition to laboratory tests to learn more about a person’s health.
Why do lab results vary?
With some laboratory tests, the results obtained for healthy people can vary somewhat from person to person. Factors that can cause person-to-person variation in laboratory test results include a person's age, sex, race, medical history, and general health. In fact, the results obtained from a single person given the same test on different days can ...
What is the purpose of a cancer diagnosis?
To help diagnose cancer. To provide information about the stage of a cancer (that is, its severity); for malignant tumors, this includes the size and/or extent (reach) of the original (primary) tumor and whether or not the tumor has spread ( metastasized) to other parts of the body. To plan treatment.
What is the blood chemistry test?
What it measures: The amounts of certain substances that are released into the blood by the organs and tissues of the body , such as metabolites, electrolytes, fats, and proteins, including enzymes. Blood chemistry tests usually include tests for blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine.
What is lab testing?
What are lab tests? Laboratory tests are medical devices that are intended for use on samples of blood, urine, or other tissues or substances taken from the body to help diagnose disease or other conditions. Why does your doctor use lab tests?
Why do doctors use lab tests?
Why does your doctor use lab tests? Your doctor uses laboratory tests to help: identify changes in your health condition before any symptoms occur. diagnose or aid in diagnosing a disease or condition, plan your treatment for a disease or condition, evaluate your response to a treatment, or. monitor the course of a disease over time.
Why are lab results given as a range?
Normal test values are usually given as a range, rather than as a specific number, because normal values vary from person to person. What is normal for one person may not be normal for another person.
What does it mean when a doctor collects a sample from your body?
After your doctor collects a sample from your body, it is sent to a laboratory. Laboratories perform tests on the sample to see if it contains different substances, and how much. Depending on the test, the presence, absence, or amount of an analyte may mean you do have a particular condition or it may mean that you do not have ...
Why is Point-of-Care Testing Growing?
As healthcare becomes more consumer-focused, the need for convenient diagnosis, monitoring, and screening tests is expanding worldwide. In some cases, technology has caught up; testing devices that are smaller, more portable, and easier to operate have been developed.
Benefits
When used properly, point-of-care testing can lead to more efficient, effective medical treatments and improved quality of medical care.
Cautions
While many point-of-care tests are designed to be relatively simple and low risk to use, they are not error-proof. Individuals using point-of-care tests, even healthcare practitioners, must carefully follow test directions and be familiar with the test system.
The Future
For some conditions, like diabetes, point-of-care testing has already drastically altered how care is delivered and managed.
Examples
There are many point-of-care tests available in a variety of settings. Here are some that you may encounter:
