7: ARTERIAL BLOOD GASES
Key learning topics Definition of blood gas parameters Principles of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange in the lungs, and blood transport of these gases around the body Defining pH, acid,…
4: PLASMA/SERUM SODIUM AND POTASSIUM
Key learning topics Maintaining normal sodium and water balance Maintaining normal potassium balance Poor blood sampling/transport can affect plasma potassium Causes and effects of raised plasma/serum sodium Causes and effects…
11: LIVER FUNCTION TESTS: ALANINE TRANSFERASE (ALT), GAMMA GLUTAMYL TRANSFERASE (GGT), ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE (AP), BILIRUBIN AND ALBUMIN
Key learning topics Liver and biliary tract: anatomy, physiology and function Bilirubin metabolism and excretion Albumin – a marker of liver synthesis Liver enzymes (ALT, GGT and AP): markers of…
17: TESTS OF HAEMOSTASIS: PLATELET COUNT, PROTHROMBIN TIME (PT), ACTIVATED PARTIAL THROMBOPLASTIN TIME (APPT),THROMBIN TIME (TT) AND D-DIMER
Key learning topics Defining haemostasis Platelets and their role in haemostasis The blood clotting cascade – its role in haemostasis Fibrinolysis and D-dimer production What is being measured in the…
3: BLOOD GLUCOSE AND HbA1c
Key learning topics Function of glucose as an energy source Hormone regulation of blood glucose concentration Defining normal and abnormal blood glucose Diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis Using blood glucose to…
21: URINE MICROSCOPY, CULTURE AND SENSITIVITY (M,C&S)
Key learning topics Anatomical features of the urinary tract Distinction of upper and lower urinary tract infection (UTI) Factors that predispose to UTI Bacterial species causing UTI Collection of urine…
20: BLOOD GROUP, ANTIBODY SCREEN AND CROSSMATCH
Key learning topics ABO and Rh blood group systems Incompatible transfusion reaction Other risks of transfusion Safe transfusion practice Antibody screening during pregnancy Haemolytic disease of the newborn Every year…
10: TESTS OF THYROID FUNCTION –THYROXINE (T4), TRIIODOTHYRONINE (T3) AND THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE (TSH)
Key learning topics Structure and function of the thyroid hormones: T4 and T3 Control of thyroid hormone production – role of the pituitary hormone, TSH Causes and consequences of overactive…
5: PLASMA/SERUM UREA AND CREATININE; AND e-GFR
Key learning topics Urine production – the concept of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) Metabolic production of urea and creatinine Urea and creatinine as markers of renal disease Non-renal causes of…
2: SOME PRINCIPLES OF LABORATORY TESTING
Key learning topics The principles of patient sample collection Units of measurement used in clinical laboratories The concept of the normal (reference) range The concept of test sensitivity/specificity The concept…
