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Labs and diagnostics

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

T waveThe wave on an electrocardiogram that shows the heart's lower chambers recovering electrically after each beat.
T3Triiodothyronine: the more active of the two main thyroid hormones, or the blood test that measures it.
theophylline levelA blood test that measures how much of the bronchodilator theophylline is in the blood.
therapeutic rangeThe span of blood levels of a drug that is high enough to work but low enough to avoid toxic effects.
thoracentesisA procedure in which a needle is passed through the chest wall to remove fluid or air from the space around a lung.
throat cultureA test in which a swab of the back of the throat is grown in the lab to find which bacteria are there.
thrombocytopeniaA blood platelet count below normal, under 150,000/mm3.
thyroid-stimulating hormoneA hormone from the pituitary gland that tells the thyroid to make thyroid hormone; its blood level is the main thyroid test.
tomographyImaging that produces pictures of the body in thin slices.
total cholesterolThe amount of all types of cholesterol in the blood, measured as part of a lipid panel.
total iron-binding capacityA blood test that measures how much iron the blood's carrier protein, transferrin, could hold.
total proteinA blood test that measures all the protein in the serum, mainly albumin and globulins.
toxicology screenA urine or blood test that checks for drugs, alcohol or poisons in the body.
triglyceridesThe main type of fat in the blood and in body fat, measured in a lipid panel.
troponinA protein found in heart muscle cells; its level in the blood is a lab test for heart muscle damage.
tuberculin skin testA screening test in which a small amount of tuberculin protein is injected just under the skin of the forearm and the spot is checked days later.
type and crossmatchBlood tests done before a transfusion to find a person's blood type and check that donor blood will not react with it.