Laboratory & Diagnostic Testing Flashcards

What does CBC stand for in medical documentation?

Answer: Complete Blood Count

CBC stands for Complete Blood Count, a routine panel that measures red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Which laboratory value is primarily used to assess kidney function?

Answer: Creatinine

Creatinine is a waste product filtered by the kidneys, and elevated levels indicate impaired renal function.

In an Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) report, which value directly indicates the patient's blood acidity or alkalinity?

Answer: pH

The pH value in an ABG directly measures the acidity or alkalinity of arterial blood, with normal range 7.35–7.45.

What is the normal range for fasting blood glucose in an adult?

Answer: 70–99 mg/dL

Normal fasting blood glucose is 70–99 mg/dL; values of 100–125 indicate prediabetes, and 126+ on two occasions indicate diabetes.

Which test is the standard for monitoring long-term blood sugar control in diabetic patients?

Answer: HbA1c (Hemoglobin A1c)

HbA1c reflects average blood glucose over the past 2–3 months by measuring glycated hemoglobin, making it the gold standard for long-term diabetes management.

When a scribe documents 'STAT' for a lab order, what does this indicate?

Answer: Immediately/urgently needed

STAT derives from the Latin 'statim,' meaning immediately, and indicates the lab test is urgent and must be processed right away.

Which liver function test (LFT) is most specific for hepatocellular (liver cell) damage?

Answer: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

ALT is found primarily in liver cells and rises significantly when hepatocytes are injured, making it the most specific LFT for liver cell damage.

What does INR (International Normalized Ratio) measure, and why is accurate documentation critical for a medical scribe?

Answer: Blood clotting time; monitors patients on anticoagulants like warfarin

INR measures blood clotting time and is essential for monitoring patients on anticoagulant therapy such as warfarin to prevent dangerous bleeding or clotting events.

A urinalysis report showing '3+' for protein indicates which of the following?

Answer: Significant proteinuria warranting further evaluation

A '3+' proteinuria result indicates a significant amount of protein in the urine, which can signal kidney disease, nephrotic syndrome, or other conditions requiring follow-up.

Which imaging modality uses magnetic fields and radio waves rather than ionizing radiation?

Answer: MRI

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) uses magnetic fields and radio frequency waves, making it free of ionizing radiation unlike CT scans or X-rays.

When documenting a culture result, 'NGTD' typically stands for what?

Answer: No growth to date

'NGTD' means No Growth To Date, indicating that no bacteria have grown in the culture at the time of the interim report.

A troponin level is ordered primarily to assess damage to which organ?

Answer: Heart

Troponin is a cardiac-specific protein released into the bloodstream when heart muscle cells are damaged, and it is the gold standard biomarker for diagnosing myocardial infarction.

Which test is most commonly used to screen for colorectal cancer through stool analysis?

Answer: Fecal occult blood test (FOBT)

The Fecal Occult Blood Test detects hidden (occult) blood in stool, which can be an early indicator of colorectal cancer or precancerous polyps.

When a provider orders a 'type and screen,' what is being requested?

Answer: Blood typing (ABO/Rh) and screening for unexpected antibodies

A type and screen determines the patient's ABO blood group and Rh factor while screening for unexpected red blood cell antibodies prior to potential transfusion.

What does a lab result status of 'pending' mean when documented by a medical scribe?

Answer: The test has been ordered but results are not yet available

'Pending' indicates that the laboratory test has been ordered and the specimen submitted, but results have not yet been reported by the lab.

Which value in a complete metabolic panel (CMP) directly reflects the body's primary circulating energy source?

Answer: Glucose

Glucose in a CMP reflects the current blood sugar level, which is the body's primary and most immediately available source of cellular energy.

When documenting a chest X-ray report that states 'No acute cardiopulmonary process,' what does this mean?

Answer: No urgent or new heart or lung abnormality was detected

'No acute cardiopulmonary process' is standard radiologist language indicating no urgent or new abnormalities affecting the heart or lungs were identified.

An adult WBC count of 14,000 cells/µL would most likely indicate which of the following?

Answer: Infection or systemic inflammation

The normal adult WBC range is approximately 4,500–11,000 cells/µL; an elevated count (leukocytosis) commonly reflects infection, inflammation, or stress response.

Which electrolyte imbalance is documented when a patient's serum potassium level falls below 3.5 mEq/L?

Answer: Hypokalemia

Hypokalemia refers to abnormally low potassium levels (below 3.5 mEq/L), which can cause muscle weakness, cramps, and dangerous cardiac arrhythmias.

When documenting an ECG result, what does the abbreviation 'NSR' indicate?

Answer: Normal sinus rhythm

NSR stands for Normal Sinus Rhythm, meaning the heart's electrical activity originates from the sinoatrial node at a normal rate and regular pattern.