Dictionary

Labs and diagnostics

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

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.

U waveA small, rounded wave that sometimes follows the T wave on an ECG.

ultrasoundAn imaging test that uses high-frequency sound waves to make pictures of the inside of the body.

ureaA waste product the liver makes when it breaks down protein, which the kidneys remove in urine.

uric acidA waste product made when the body breaks down purines, measured with a blood test.

urinalysisA lab test of a urine sample that looks at its color, clarity, chemicals and cells.

urine cultureA lab test that grows germs from a urine sample to find out whether bacteria are present and which ones.

urine ketonesA urine test, usually a dipstick, for ketones, acids made when the body burns fat for energy.

urine osmolalityA urine test that measures how concentrated the urine is: how many dissolved particles it holds.

urine specific gravityA urine test that measures how concentrated the urine is, compared with the weight of plain water.

vancomycin troughA blood test of the lowest level of the antibiotic vancomycin, drawn just before the next dose.

venous bloodBlood in the veins, returning to the heart after it has given up oxygen to the tissues.

viral loadThe amount of a virus in a person's blood, usually measured in copies per milliliter.

vitamin B12 levelA blood test that measures vitamin B12 (cobalamin), needed to make red blood cells and keep nerves healthy.

VLDLVery low-density lipoprotein: a particle made by the liver that carries fats, mostly triglycerides, in the blood.

WBC differentialA blood test that counts the five types of white blood cells and gives each as a percentage of the total.

white blood cellA blood cell that is part of the immune system and helps the body fight infection and other foreign material.

white blood cell countA blood test that counts the white blood cells, the cells that fight infection, in a sample of blood.

wound cultureA lab test that grows germs from a wound sample to find out which bacteria or fungi are there and which drugs will kill them.

x-rayA picture of the inside of the body made with a small dose of radiation; also called a radiograph.

µmol/LMicromoles per liter: a unit for how much of a substance is in a liter of fluid, used on many lab reports.