Dictionary

Labs and diagnostics

Lab values with their normal and critical ranges, and the tests nurses prepare clients for.

C-reactive proteinA protein made by the liver whose blood level rises when there is inflammation somewhere in the body.

CA-125A blood test for cancer antigen 125, a protein used as a tumor marker for ovarian cancer.

calciumA mineral that builds bones and teeth and that nerves, muscles, the heart and blood clotting need to work.

carbon dioxideA gas made by the body's cells as waste, carried in the blood to the lungs and breathed out.

carcinoembryonic antigenA protein measured in the blood as a tumor marker, mainly to follow colorectal cancer.

cardiac catheterizationA procedure in which a thin tube is threaded through a blood vessel into the heart to take pictures, measure pressures or open blocked arteries.

CCPCyclic citrullinated peptide: a protein whose antibodies (anti-CCP) are measured in a blood test for rheumatoid arthritis.

CD4 countA blood test that counts CD4 T cells, the white blood cells that HIV infects and destroys.

cerebrospinal fluidThe clear, watery fluid that bathes and cushions the brain and spinal cord.

cerebrospinal fluid analysisLab tests on the fluid around the brain and spinal cord, usually collected by lumbar puncture.

chest x-rayAn x-ray picture of the chest that shows the lungs, heart, large blood vessels, ribs and diaphragm.

chlorideA negatively charged mineral (electrolyte) in the blood that works with sodium to keep fluid and acid-base balance.

cholesterolA waxy fat made by the liver and found in animal foods, which the body uses to build cells and hormones.

chorionic villus samplingA prenatal test that takes a small sample of tissue from the placenta to check the baby's chromosomes and genes.

CK-MBA blood test for the form of the enzyme creatine kinase found mainly in heart muscle.

clotting factorAny of the proteins in blood plasma that work together in a chain to form a blood clot.

coagulationThe process by which blood changes from a liquid into a gel, forming a clot.

colonoscopyAn exam of the inside of the large intestine with a long, flexible tube that has a camera on its end.

complete blood countA common blood test that counts and measures the red cells, white cells and platelets in the blood.

comprehensive metabolic panelA group of 14 blood tests that checks blood sugar, electrolytes, kidney function and liver function.

computed tomographyAn imaging test that uses x-rays and a computer to make cross-section pictures of the inside of the body.

contrastA dye or other substance given before an imaging test so body parts show up more clearly.

cortisolA steroid hormone made by the adrenal glands that helps control blood sugar, blood pressure, stress and inflammation.

creatine kinaseAn enzyme found mainly in muscle, measured in the blood to look for muscle damage.

creatinineA waste product of muscle that the kidneys remove from the blood; its blood level is used to measure how well the kidneys work.

creatinine clearanceA measure of how much blood the kidneys clear of creatinine each minute, used to estimate kidney filtering.

CTAComputed tomography angiography: a CT scan with IV contrast dye that shows blood vessels in detail.

culture and sensitivityA lab test that grows the germs from a sample to identify them and see which antibiotics work against them.

cytologyThe study of cells, or a lab test that looks at cells under a microscope.