Understanding laboratory investigations : a guide for nurses, midwives and health professionals

Understanding Laboratory Investigations: A Guide for Nurses, Midwives and Healthcare Professionals; Copyright; Contents; Preface; Acknowledgements; Part 1 Introduction; Chapter 1 Introduction to Clinical Laboratories; The clinical chemistry laboratory; The haematology laboratory; The clinical microbiology laboratory; The blood transfusion laboratory; The histopathology laboratory; The immunology laboratory; Laboratory staffing; Scope, workload and costs; Chapter 2 Some Principles of Laboratory Testing; Pre-testing procedures; Topics relating to interpretation of laboratory results; Units of measurement used in clinical laboratoriesThe reference (normal) range; Sensitivity and specificity; Critical values; Difference between serum and plasma; Part 2 Clinical Biochemistry Tests; Chapter 3 Blood Glucose and HbA1c; Normal physiology; Laboratory measurement of blood or plasma glucose; Causes of abnormal blood glucose; Hyperglycaemia in the non-diabetic; Hypoglycaemia; Chapter 4 Plasma/Serum Sodium and Potassium; Physiology - sodium and water balance; Normal physiology - potassium; Laboratory measurement of sodium and potassium; Interpretation of results; Consequence of abnormal plasma/serum sodium potassium concentrationChapter 5 Plasma/Serum Urea and Creatinine; and e-GFR; Normal physiology; Laboratory measurement of plasma/serum urea and creatinine; Interpretation of results; Effects of increased plasma urea and creatinine concentration; Chapter 6 Plasma/Serum Calcium and Phosphate; Normal physiology; Measurement of calcium and phosphate; Causes of raised plasma/serum calcium; Causes of reduced plasma/serum calcium; Causes of raised plasma/serum phosphate; Consequences of abnormal plasma/serum calcium and phosphate; Chapter 7 Arterial Blood Gases Normal physiology; Respiratory physiology; Acid-base balance: the maintenance of normal blood pH; Measurement of blood gases; Interpretation of blood gas results; Clinical disturbances of acid-base balance; Chapter 8 Plasma/Serum Cholesterol and Triglycerides; Normal physiology; Laboratory measurement of plasma/serum cholesterol and riglyceride; Consequences of raised cholesterol or triglyceride cardiovascular disease; Causes of raised cholesterol and/or triglycerides; Chapter 9 Cardiac Markers - Troponin, Creatine Kinase (MB) and Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP); Normal physiology Laboratory measurement of troponins (cTnT cTnI) and CK (MB); Interpretation of results; Laboratory measurement of BNP; Interpretation of results; Chapter 10 Tests of Thyroid Function -Thyroxine (T4), Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH); Normal anatomy and physiology; Laboratory assessment of thyroid function; Interpretation of test results; Causes of abnormal thyroid function test results; Monitoring treatment of thyroid disease; Thyroid testing in pregnancy; Chapter 11 Liver Function Tests: Alanine Transferase (ALT), Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT), Alkaline Phosphatase (AP), Bilirubin and Albumin.

The purpose of this book is to help nurses, midwives and health professionals to better understand how the work of clinical laboratories contributes to patient care. It answers the following questions: Why is this test being ordered on my patient? What sort of sample is required? How is that sample obtained? And most importantly: What is the significance of the test result for my patient? Retaining its accessible and user-friendly style, the aim of this book remains the same: to provide nurses with as much relevant information as possible about the most commonly requested laboratory rests. This is not a book about laboratory technique - its focus is on the clinical significance of test results, and therefore the patient. The third edition is more comprehensive in terms of the number of tests discussed, incorporates colour to aid the accessibility, and includes more paediatric content.