Terms to Know for Med Lab Assisting Terms Quizzes/9 Grade Medical Terms will also be included on quizzes.
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Safety & Lab Skills Terms 1. Autoclave: a device utilizing steam under pressure to sterilize medical instruments and laboratory specimens. 2. Caustic: burning or corrosive; usually destructive to living tissue. 3. Contamination: the pollution of an area or substance with unwanted extraneous material such as pathogens or hazardous chemicals. 4. Disinfection: any practical procedure for reducing the pathogen contamination in the inanimate environment, as in air, on work counters, or equipment. 5. Hazardous chemical list: a list maintained by OSHA that identifies toxic chemicals used in laboratories. It may be consulted to determine the toxicity of a chemical. 6. Incident Report: A report made by a health care worker when an event occurs, which is not consistent with the routine operation of the medical facility. 7. Infection Control: In health care institutions, the constant effort to prevent the spread of infectious organisms; a separate department in larger facilities. 8. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS): Information that comes from the chemical manufacturer and suppliers about the dangers of the chemical. All MSDS sheets should be kept together in a book, and the whereabouts known to all. 9. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration): a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Labor. OSHA works against occupational sources of disease. 10. PPE (personal protective equipment): clothing and other equipment that shields workers from outside Contaminates. PPE includes gloves, uniforms, fluid-proof aprons, masks, and eye-shields. 11. Specimen: small amount of body tissue (e.g., urine, blood, or tumor biopsy) taken from purposes of examination. The sample is assumed to represent the whole and to provide meaningful results for the total individual. 12. Standard Precautions: a set of CDC safety procedures designed to protect patients and healthcare workers from infectious agents. 13. Universal Precautions: a set of recommendations formulated by the CDC to protect workers against HIV and other pathogens. The precautions impose isolation of all specimens of blood, blood products, and other body fluids capable of transmitting pathogens. 14. Accreditation: a voluntary process in which a private, independent agency grants recognition to institutions that meet or exceed established standards of quality. 15. Epidemiology: the study of the factors that cause disease and determine frequency and distribution. 16. Immunohematology: the study of blood group antigens and antibodies; blood banking. 17. Mycology: the study of fungi. 18. Stat test: a test that must be performed immediately. 19. Deionized water: water that has had most of the mineral ions removed 20. Distilled water: the condensate collected from steam after water has been boiled 21. Controls: Generally made from human blood, known substances that are ran with laboratory test to check equipment, reagents, and technique. There are usually high, normal, and low control levels. 22. Fasting State: a specimen collected from a patient who has not been eating or drinking for a prescribed time. 23. Time Specimen: a specimen must be collected at a certain time. For example, if a patient is receiving a toxicdrug, a test must be done to assure the correct dose was given. 24. Standards: Solutions of a know value of a pure substance used in quality control testing. 25. Solute:substance being dissolved, usually a solid 26. Solvent: the liquid that is doing the dissolving, sometimes called a diluent 27. Solution: homogeneous mixture of substances, remained dissolved, permanent mixture. 28. Suspension: Heterogeneous mixture of substance in which solute settles out 29. Supernatant: liquid that floats on the top, may float on top of another liquid or solid 30. Precipitate: material that settles to the bottom, also called sediment Urinalysis Terms (Quiz Part 1) 1. Bowman’s Capsule- The portion of the nephron that receives the glomerular filtrate. 2. Cortex- The outer layer or portion of an organ. 3. Distal Convoluted Tubule- The portion of a renal tubule that empties into the collecting tubule. 4. Diuresis- Output of an abnormally large urine volume. 5. Glomerular Filtrate- The fluid that passes from the blood into the nephron and from which urine is formed. 6. Glomerulus (pl. glomeruli)- A small bundle of capillaries that is the filtering portion of the nephron. 7. Loop of Henle- The U-shaped portion of the renal tubule between its proximal and distal portions. 8. Medulla- The inner or central portion of an organ. 9. Nephron- The structural and functional unit of the kidney. 10. Proximal Convoluted Tubule- The portion of a renal tubule that collects the filtrate from Bowman’s capsule. 11. Pyelitis- Inflammation of the renal pelvis. 12. Pyelonephritis- Inflammation of the kidney and renal pelvis. 13. Renal Pelvis- The cavity in the kidney that receives urine from the renal tubules and the site where the ureter enters the kidney. 14. Renal Threshold- The blood concentration above which a substance not normally excreted by the kidneys appears in urine. 15. Tubular Necrosis- Death of the tissue comprising the renal tubules. 16. Anuria- Complete failure of kidney function and suppression of urine production; absence of urine production. 17. Clean-Catch Urine- A midstream urine sample collected after the urethral opening and surrounding tissues have been cleansed. 18. Midstream Urine- A urine sample collected in the middle of voiding. 19. Nocturia- Excessive urination at night. 20. Oliguria- Decreased production of urine. Urinalysis Terms (UA Quiz Part 2) 21. Random Urine Specimen- A urine specimen collected at any time, without regard to diet or time of day. 22. Ketones- A group of chemical substance produced during increased fat metabolism; ketone bodies. 23. Melanin- A dark pigment of skin, hair, and certain tumors. 24. Myoglobin- A pigmented protein found in muscle tissue. 25. Opalescent- Having a milky iridescence. 26. Porphyrins- A group of pigments that are required for the synthesis of hemoglobin. 27. Refractometer- An instrument for measuring refraction. 28. Specific Gravity- The ratio of the weight of a solution to the weight of an equal volume of distilled water; a measurement of density. 29. Turbid- Having a cloudy appearance. 30. Urinometer- A float with a calibrated stem used for measuring specific gravity. 31. Urochrome- The yellow pigment the gives urine its color. 32. Bilirubin- A product formed in the liver from the breakdown of hemoglobin. 33. Urobilinogen- Breakdown product of bilirubin formed by the action of intestinal bacteria. 34. Cast- In urinalysis, a protein matrix formed in the kidney tubules and washed out into the urine. 35. Hyaline- Transparent, pale. 36. Sediment- Solids that settle to the bottom of a liquid. 37. hCG – human chorionic gondotropin, a hormone present in pregnancy. 38. Glycosuria- Glucose in the urine; glucosuria. 39. Ketonuria- Ketones in the urine. 40. Proteinuria- Protein in the urine, usually albumin. Hematology Terms (Quiz Part 1) 1. Anticoagulant- a chemical that prevents blood coagulation 2. Diurnal- having a daily cycle 3. Lipemic- having a cloudy appearance due to excess lipid content 4. Deoxyhemoglobin- the hemoglobin formed when oxyhemoglobin releases oxygen to tissues 5. EDTA- ethylendiaminetetra-acetic acid; an anticoagulant commonly used in hematology 6. Granulocyte- a leukocyte containing granules in the cytoplasm; any of the neutrophilic, eosinophilic, or basophilic leukocytes 7. Hemoglobin (Hb, Hgb)- the major functional component of red blood cells that serves as the oxygen-carrying protein 8. Hemopoiesis- the process of blood cell formation and development; hematopoiesis 9. Hemostasis- the process of stopping bleeding 10. Megakaryocyte- a large bone marrow cell from which platelets are derived 11. Oxyhemoglobin- the form of hemoglobin that binds and transports oxygen 12. Platelet- a formed element in circulating blood that plays an important role in blood coagulation; a small disk-shaped fragment of cytoplasm derived from a megakaryocyte; a thrombocyte 13. Stem cell- a primitive, undifferentiated bone marrow cell 14. Thrombocyte- a blood platelet 15. Capillary action- the action by which a fluid enters a tube because of the attraction between the fluid and the tube 16. Heparin- an anticoagulant used in certain laboratory procedures 17. Cephalic vein- a superficial vein of the arm commonly used for venipuncture 18. Gauge- a measure of the diameter of a needle 19. Hypodermic needle- a hollow needle used for injections or for obtaining fluid specimens 20. Lumen- the open space within a tubular organ or tissue 21. Median cubital vein- a superficial vein located in the bund of the elbow (cubital fossa) that connects the cephalic vein to the basilic vein 22. Palpate- to examine by touch 23. Phlebotomy- venipuncture; entry of a vein with a needle 24. Syringe-a hollow, tube-like- container with a plunger, used for injecting or withdrawing fluids 25. Hemostasis- the process of stopping bleeding 26. Stem cell- a primitive, undifferentiated bone marrow cell 27. Leukocyte- blood cell that functions in immunity; white blood cell (WBC) 28. Aperture- an opening. 29. Cell diluting fluid- a solution used to dilute blood for cell counts. 30. Hemacytometer- a heavy glass slide made to precise specifications and used to count cells microscopically; a counting chamber. 31. Hemacytometer coverglass-a special cover glass of uniform thickness used with a hemacytometer. 32. Immunity- resistance to disease or infection. 33. Isotonic solution- a solution that has the same concentration of dissolved particles as the solution or cell with which it is compared. 34. Cyanthemoglobin- a stable colored compound formed when hemoglobin is reacted with Drabkins reagent; hemigloincyanide. 35. Drabkin’s Reagent- a hemoglobin-diluting reagent that contains iron, potassium, cyanide, and sodium bicarbonate. 36. Globin- the protein portion of the hemoglobin molecule. 37. heme- the iron portion of the hemoglobin. 38. hemiglobincyanide- cyanmethemoglobin. 39. Hemoglobin- the major functional component of RBCs that serves as the oxygen-carrying molecule. 40. Buffer- a substance that lenses change in the Ph of a solution when acid or base is added Immunology and Serology Terms (Hematology Quiz Part 2) 1. Antiserum- serum that contains antibodies 2. Blood Bank- department in the medical laboratory where blood components are tested and stored until needed for transfusion; refrigerated unit used for storing blood components 3. Autoantibody- an antibody directed against the self (one’s own tissue) 4. Reciprocal- inverse; one of one pair of numbers (as 2/3 and 3/2) that has a product of one 5. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)- a disease characterized by inflammation of the joints 6. Rheumatoid Factors (RF)- autoantibodies directed against human IgG that are often present in the serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis 7. Epstein-Barr Virus (EVP)- a virus that infects lymphocytes and is cause of infectious mononucleosis 8. Heterophile Antibodies- antibodies that are increased in infectious mononucleosis 9. Agglutination- the clumping or aggregation of particulate antigens due to reaction due to reaction with a specific antibody 10. Anamnesis respond- rapid increase in a blood immunoglobulins following a second exposure to an antigen; booster response or secondary response 11. Antibody (AB)- serum protein that is induced by and reacts specifically with a foreign substance; immunoglobulin 12. Antigen (AG)-”foreign” substance that induced by an immune responds by causing production of antibodies or sensitized lymphocytes that reacts specifically with that substance; immunogen 13. Autoimmune disease- disease resulting when the immune response is directed at one’s own tissues (self-antigens) 14. B lymphocyte, B cell- a type of lymphocyte primarily responsible for the humoral immune response 15. Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA)- a serological test that uses an enzyme-labeled antibody reactant 16. Epitope-the portion of an antigen that reacts specifically with an antibody; antigenic determinate 17. Immunocompetent- compatible of producing a normal immune response 18. Immunocompromised- having reduced ability to produce a normal immune 19. Immunohematology- the study of the blood group antigens and antibodies; blood banking 20. Immunology- the branch of medicine involved in the study of the immune processes and immunity 21. Immunosuppression- suppression of the immune response by physical, chemical, or biological means 22. Lymphokine- any of several small molecules that are produced by lymphocytes and help regulate the immune response 23. Monoclonical Antibody- antibody derived from a single cell or cell line or clone 24. Plasma Cell- a cell that produces antibodies and is derived from a B lymphocyte 25. Polyclonal Antibodies- antibodies derived from more than one cell line 26. Precipitation- formation of an insoluble antigen-antibody complex 27. Primary Lymphoid Organs- organs in which B and T lymphocytes acquire their special characteristic; in humans, the bone marrow and thymus 28. Secondary Lymphoid Tissue- tissues in which lymphocytes are concentrated, such as the spleen, lymph nodes and tonsils 29. Seroconversion- the appearance of antibody in the serum of an individual following exposure 30. Serology- the study antibodies and antigens in serum using immunological methods 31. T Lymphocyte, T Cell- a type lymphocyte responsible for the call-meditated immune response 32. Titer- in serology, the reciprocal of the highest dilution (1:2, 1:16, 1:64 etc.) that gives the desired reaction; concentration of a substance determined by titration. Antibody titer will show how much antibody is in a patient’s serum, 33. Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN)- a condition in which antibody from the mother destroys the red blood cells in the fetus 34. Immunization- the process of producing immunity to an antigen 35. Rh (D) Immune Globin (RhIG)- a concentrated, purified solution of human anti-D antibody used for injection Microbiology Terms (Quiz Part 1) 1. Spirochetes- motile bacteria with a helical or spiral shape 2. Zone of inhibition- in the antibiotic susceptibility test, the area around an antibiotic disk that contains no bacterial growth 3. varicella ( chickenpox) 4. Fomites- inanimate objects, such as bed rails, linens, or eating utensils, that may be contaminated with infectious organisms and serve as a means of their transmission 5. Isolation- practice of limiting the movement and social contact of a patient who is potentially infectious or who must be protected from exposure to infectious agents 6. Protective isolation- reverse isolation; an isolation category designed to protect highly susceptible patients from exposure to infectious agents 7. Aseptic technique- measures used to prevent contamination when working with microorganisms 8. HEPA filter- high-efficiency particulate air filter used in biological safety cabinets 9. Indicator Medium- bacteriological medium that detects certain chemical reactions of organisms growing on it; differential medium 10. Inoculating Loop- instrument used to pick up and transfer bacteria 11. Inoculation- process of transferring from one medium to another 12. Inoculum- process of transferring a population of microorganisms to a growth medium 13. Mycoplasma- tiny microorganisms lacking a rigid cell wall 14. Primary Medium- medium that provides nutritional requirements for an organism and is used to recover the organism from infectious material 15. Quadrant- one-fourth of a circle; one- fourth of an agar plate 16. Selective medium- bacteriological medium that allows growth of some organisms while inhibiting growth of others 17. Transport medium- medium that provides the proper environment for organisms during transport to the laboratory 18. fossae- in the throat, shallow depressions where the tonsils were located before surgical removal 19. coliform- certain gram-negative intestinal bacteria including Escherichia coli 20. colony count- method of estimating the number of organisms in urine by counting the colonies on a urine culture plate 21. Candida albicans- fubgus that causes vaginitis in females, especially following antibiotic therapy for bacterial infections 22. Chlamydia- gram-negative intracellular bacteria; Chlamydia trachomatis is a cause of STDs 23. Nongonococcal Urethritis- gonorrhea-like STD caused by organisms other than gonococci 24. Spirochetes- motile bacteria with a helical or spiral shape 25. Trichomoniasis- sexually transmitted infection of the genitourinary tract caused by the parasitic protozoan, Trichomonas vaginalis 26. Venereal- having to do with, or transmitted by, sexual contact 27. Antibiotic susceptibility testing- determining the susceptibility of microorganisms to specific antibiotics 28. Bacillus- rod-shaped bacterium 29. Coccus- spherical bacterium 30. Colony- defined mass of bacteria assumed to have grown from a single organism 31. Communicable- able to be transmitted directly or indirectly from one individual to another 32. Culture- growth of microorganisms in a special medium; the process of growing microorganisms in the laboratory 33. DNA- nucleic acid found primarily in the nucleus of all living cells that carries genetic information; deoxyribonucleic acid 34. Fastidious Organism- organism that requires special nutritional factors to survive 35. Fission- asexual reproduction of a microorganism 36. Formalin- solution of formaldehyde used as a fixative or preservative 37. Gram-negative- designation for bacteria that lose the crystal violet (purple stain) and retain the safranin (red stain) in the Gram stain procedure 38. Bibulous Paper- special absorbent paper used to dry slides 39. Counterstain-dye that adds a contrasting color 40. Mordant- substance that fixes a dye or stain to an object Parasitology Terms (Microbiology Quiz Part 2) 1.) Arthropod -member of the phylum Arthropoda, which includes crustaceans, insects, and arachnids 2.) Cestode –tapeworm; member of the class Cestoda 3.) Commensal –organism that lives with, on, or in another, without causing injury to either 4.) Congenital –acquired during fetal development, and present at the time of birth, but not inherited 5.) Definitive host –host in which the sexual or adult form of the parasite is found 6.) Ectoparasite –parasite that lives on the outer surface of a host 7.) Endemic –recurring in a specific location or population 8.) Helminth –worm, especially a parasitic worm; in parasitology, the group comprising the roundworms and flat worms 9.) Host –organism from which a parasite obtains nutrients and in which some or part of the parasite’s life cycle is carried out 10.) Immunocompromised –having reduced or absent ability to produce a normal immune response 11.) Intermediate host –host in which the asexual, immature, or larval form of the parasite is found 12.) Nematode –roundworm; any unsegmented worm of the class Nematode 13.) Opportunistic Parasite –organism that causes disease only in immunocompromise hosts 14.) Ova –eggs 15.) Parasite –organism that lives in or on another species ant at the expense of that species 16.) Cyst –nonmotile, nonfeeding stage of a protozoan parasite; usually an infective stage 17.) PVA –polyvinyl alcohol, a preservative used for fecal specimens 18.) Trophozoite –motile, feeding stage of protozoan parasites 19) Micrometer –ruled device for measuring small objects 20.) Trichrome stain –stain commonly used for fecal specimens 21.) Anopheles –genus of mosquito that is the definitive host for the human malaria parasites (genus Plasmodium) and is capable of transmitting the organism to humans 22.) Giemsa Stain –polychromatic stain used for staining blood cells and blood parasites 23.) Malaria –in humans, a disease caused by infection with protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium 24.) Micrfiltrate –immature forms of filarial worms 25.) Parasitemia –parasites in the blood 26.) Paroxysm(s) –cycle(s) of chills and fever associated with malaria that occur thirty-six to seventy-two hours apart, depending on the Plasmodium species 27.) Plasmodium –protozoan genus that includes the organisms causing human malaria Clinical Chemistry Terms 1. Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) -Enzyme present in high concentration in liver and that is measured to assess liver function; SGPT. 2. Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP or AP) –Enzyme widely distributed in the body, especially in the liver and bone. 3. Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) –Enzyme present in many tissues, including cardiac, muscle, and liver, that is measured to assess liver function 4. BUN–Blood Urea Nitrogen: a test measuring urea in blood. 5. Creatinine Kinase (CK) –Enzyme present in large amounts in brain tissue and heart and skeletal muscle that is measured to aid in diagnosing heart attack 6. Creatinine–A breakdown product of creatine that is normally excreted in urine. 7. Electrolytes –The cations and anions important in maintaining fluid and acid-base balance 8. Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) –Enzyme present in liver,kidney pancreas, and prostate that is measured to assess liver function. 9. Gout –Painful condition in which blood uric acid is elevated and urates precipitate in joints. 10. Homeostasis–Tendency toward steady state of equilibrium of body processes 11. Hypercalcemia –Above-normal blood calcium levels. 12. Hyperlipidemia –Excessive amount of fat in the blood 13. Hyperthyroidism–Excessive functional activity of the thyroid gland; excessive secretion of thyroid hormones. 14. Hypoalbuminemia –Marked decrease in serum albumin concentration 15. Hypocalcemia –Below normal blood calcium levels. 16. Hypothyroidism –Thyroid function deficiency 17. Lactate Dehydrogenase (LD or LDH) –Enzyme widely distributed in the body that is measured to assess liver function. 18. Lipemic –Having a cloudy appearance due to excess lipid content. 19. Lipids –Any one of a group of fats or fat like substances. 20. Thyroxine –Thyroid hormone, commonly called T4 21. Triglycerides –Major storage form of lipids. 22. Triiodothyronine –One of the thyroid hormones, commonly called T3 23. Uric Acid –Breakdown product of nucleic acid 24. Hyperkalemia –Blood potassium levels above normal 25. Hypernatremia –Blood sodium levels above normal 26. Hypokalemia –Blood potassium levels below normal 27. Hyponatremia –Blood sodium levels below normal 28. Osmolality–Measure indicating the number of dissolved solids in a fluid, usually serum or urine 29. Atherosclerosis–Condition in which lipids, calcium and other substabces deposit on the inner surface. 30. Endogenous –Produced within; growing from within 31. HDL Cholesterol –High-density lipoprotein fraction of total blood cholesterol 32. LDL Cholesterol –Low-density lipoprotein fraction of total 33. Chromogen –Substance that becomes colored when it undergoes a chemical change. 34. Glucagon –Pancreatic hormone that increases blood glucose concentration by promoting the conversion of glycogen to glucose 35. Glucose Dehydrogenase –Enzyme used in glucose analytical methods that converts glucose into gluconolactone 36. Glucose Oxidase -Enzyme used in many glucose analytical methods that converts glucose to gluconic acid 37. Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) –Analyzing blood glucose at timed intervals following ingestion of a standard glucose dose; oral glucose tolerance test.(OGTT) 38. Glycogen–Storage form of glucose found in high concentration in the liver 39. Glycolysis –Energy production as a result of the metabolic breakdown of glucose. 40. Hexokinase–Enzyme used in glucose analytical methods that converts glucose to glucose-6-phosphate