Cyndi Zarbano – Mastering Lab Interpretation & The Implications for Patient Care

Outline

Basic Metabolic Profile (BMP)

• Glucose
• Acid Base
• Renal Function
• Electrolytes
• Life-threatening Electrolytes
  • Potassium
  • Magnesium
  • Sodium
  • Calcium

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel: Indications and Implications

• LFTs: Exploring the Liver
• AST/ALT/ALP/Total Bilirubin/Proteins
• Health Issues in Liver Failure
  • Jaundice
  • Ascites
  • Hepatic
  • Encephelopathy

CBC with Differential: Interpreting the Components

• What Can Impact WBC and Neutrophil Findings
• Anemias/Polycythemias
• Understanding the Differential
• The Left Shift Explained
• Guidelines on Transfusing have Changed

Acute Renal Failure: Identify the Cause

• Creatinine
• BUN
• BUN/CR ratios
• Glomerular Filtration Rate
• Urine Osmolality
• FENA

Cardiac Labs: Ischemia vs. Myocardial Infarction

• Cardiac Panels
• EKG Clues Supporting the Findings
• Distinguishing STEMI vs. NSTEMI
• BNP
• Pro-BNP

Coagulation/Thrombotic Risk Panels: Clues to Clotting

• The Clotting Cascade
• The Right Lab Test for the Medication
• aPTT
• PT
• INR
• D-dimer
• Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy

Urinalysis: Does Your Patient Have a UTI?

• Latest Guidelines
• Culture

Blood Gases: Identifying the Underlying Abnormality

• Three Types of Gases
• Interpreting Arterial Blood Gases: It’s Easier Than You Think!
• Venous Blood Gases
• Mixed Venous Blood Gases

Labs and Sepsis: Taking a Team Approach

• Cultures, Gram Stains and Sensitivities
• Systematic Inflammation
• Labs of Sepsis
  • Lactate Levels
  • Procalcitonin Levels
  • WBCs
  • Neutrophils

Lumbar Punctures / Cerebral Spinal Fluid

• Bacterial Meningitis
• Viral Meningitis
• Viral Encephalitis

Understanding Thyroid Dysfunction

• TSH
• T4 Levels
• T3 Uptake

Differentiating Hyperglycemic States

• DKA
• HHS (HHNK)
• Treatment for Each