Ch. 20 Laboratory Assistant Skills
Hematocrit
"crit" is a blood test that measures the volume of packed red blood cells (RBC's ), or erythrocytes in the blood
typing and crossmatch
A determination of blood types and antigens prior to a blood transfusion
differential count
Blood test that determines the percentage of each kind of leukocyte (white blood cell)
erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
Blood test that determines the rate at which red blood cells settle out of the blood
oligouria
Decreased urine output; less than 500 mL in 24 hrs.
specific gravity
weight or mass of a substance compared with an equal amount of another substance that is used as a standard
Leukocytes
white blood cells
anticoagulant
Substance that prevents blood from clotting
glucose tolerance test
a diagnostic test that evaluates how well a person metabolizes a calculated amount of glucose
blood smear
a drop of blood spread thinly on a slide for microscopic examination
culture specimen
a sample of microorganisms or tissue cells taken from an area of the body for examination
skin puncture
a small puncture made in the skin to obtain capillary blood
senstive
ability to recognize and appreciate the personal characteristics of others
resistant
able to oppose; organisms that remain unaffected by harmful substances in the environment
urinalysis
an examination of urine and consists of three main areas of testing: physical, chemical, and microscopic
microscope
an instrument used to magnify and visualize objects too small to be seen with the naked eye
Refractometer
an instrument used to measure the specific gravity of urine
anuria
no formation of urine
Gram's stain
technique of staining organisms to identify specific types of bacteria present
Antibody screen
test that checks for antibodies in the blood prior to a transfusion
hemolysis
disintegration of red blood cells, causing cells to dissolve or go into solution
polyuria
increased amount of urine; more than 2,000 mL in 24hrs.
Hypoglycemia
low blood sugar
hyperglycemia
low blood sugar
glycohemoglobin test
measures the amount of glucose that attaches to the hemoglobin on red blood cells
Erythocytes
red blood cells
urinary sediment
solid materials suspended in urine
agar plate
special laboratory dish containing agar, a gelatinous colloidal extract of a red alga, which is used to provide nourishment for growth of organisms
reagent strips
special test strip containing chemical substances that react to the presence of certain substances in the urine or blood
Antigen
substance that causes the body to produce antibodies; may be introduced into the body or formed within the body
glycosuria
sugar in the urine
Venipincture
surgical puncture of vein; inserting a needle into a vein
direct smear
bacteriological smear; when specimen is placed immediately on a slide
hematuria
blood in the urine
fasting blood sugar
blood test that measures blood serum levels of glucose (sugar) after a person has had nothing by mouth for a period of time.
urinometer
calibrated device used to measure the specific gravity of urine
Hemoglobin (Hgb)
the iron- containing protein of red blood cells; serves to carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues
Glucose
the most common type of sugar in the body