A Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests 7th edition

A Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests 7th edition CHAPTER CONTENT AND FEATURES Background rationale Test purpose Interfering factors Description of the procedure protocol and time frames and test completion Reference ranges and normal values, expectations Patient involvement (eg, history of signs and symptoms, body position, breathing instructions, electrode placement, compliance issues, patient right to refuse testing) Method of specimen collection (biohazard guidelines), handling, and transportation Clinical implications with interpretation of abnormal findings, unexpected outcomes, and disease patterns Interventions for pretest patient preparation (medications, fasting), explanation of benefits and risks, intratest patient care (appropriate monitoring, conscious sedation), and posttest patient aftercare (includes monitoring, explanation of further testing and treatment modalities) Special features integrated into the format include: The clinician's role in providing diagnostic services. Clinical Alerts and Education Alerts that signal special cautions. Specific guidelines listed for each test phase. Expected outcomes with evidence-based patient expectations and reference ranges as defined by the specialty. A user-friendly format of the text to support easy information retrieval. Both conventional and SI units are listed and, where possible, age-related reference values are also listed as a component of normal reference values. Numerous examples of test values and clinical considerations for newborn, infant, child, adolescent, and older adult groups where appropriate. A bibliography at the end of each chapter representing a composite of selected references from various disciplines and directs the clinician to information available beyond the scope of this book. Extensive appendices providing the clinician with additional data for everyday practice. Current, complete, and accurate content, which has been compiled from various multidisciplinary sources, then carefully scrutinized and continually reevaluated. NEW INFORMATION IN THE SEVENTH EDITION The addition of many new tests and methodologies includes: Newborn screening for inherited disease Updated Pap smears and protocols for further testing Cytokines Metabolic autopsy Tissue (histology) biopsies and predictive markers for treatment response Tests for bone disease Tests for heart disease, congestive and acute MI disease Microbiological testing, bioterrorism agents, detecting food poisoning, anthrax, plague, and hemorrhagic fever Breast diagnostic and prognostic markers Fetal predictive tests of abnormal development Breath tests for ulcers, alcohol, lactose, etc. Fertility tests Expanded scope of magnetic resonance (MRI) scans Expanded scope of sleep/sleepiness studies in newborns, children, older adults New nuclear tumor and infection scans PET scans combined with CT spiral imaging and ultrasound Ductal lavage for determining Gail Index for breast cancer risk New sentinel node localization LEEP GYN procedure Eye tests for retinal disorders, macular degeneration, visual acuity, and glaucoma Expanded content on keeping records of diagnostic tests, use of proper forms, and standardized patient reports Panels of multiple tests (e.g., metabolic syndrome, syndrome X) within Chapter 6 Chemistry Tests The appendices are completely revised and contain many additions. For example, Appendix D offers information regarding collection of saliva, breath, nail, sputum, and hair specimens. Appendix H provides examples of commonly used forms and infrequently used forms (videotaping, refusal). Appendix L deals with guidelines for collecting evidentiary specimens. Revised chapters include changes in the clinician's role and reflect current laboratory and diagnostic practice standards. Throughout the text, a greater emphasis is placed upon communication skills and collaboration between patients, their significant others, and health professionals from diverse disciplines. When clinicians see patients in the context of what the patient and loved ones are experiencing (ie, situational needs, expectations, previous experiences, and the environment in which they live), only then can they offer meaningful support and care. When patients believe the clinician is on their side, they have an increased sense of control. Identifying with the patient's point of view leads to a more profound level of communication. CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN LABORATORY AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING New technologies foster new scientific modalities for patient assessment and clinical interventions. Thus, the clinician is provided a greater understanding of the long chain of events from diagnosis through treatment and outcomes. In a brief span of years, new technologies have introduced greatly improved developments in total body and brain x-ray scanners; digital and enhanced imaging; magnetic resonance (MR); positron emission tomography (PET) scanners, combination scans such as PET and CT to diagnose cancer and infections; greatly enhanced ultrasound and nuclear medicine procedures; genetic mutation studies; new tests for cancer; new cancer markers for diagnosis and prognosis; sleep disorders tests; technology for fetal testing before birth, and postmortem testing after death. Many new technologies are faster, more patient-friendly, more comfortable, and provide an equivalent or higher degree of accuracy (ie, HIV or hepatitis detection, monitoring for drug abuse or managing therapeutic drug levels). Saliva and breath testing is gaining ground as a mirror of body function and emotional, hormonal, immune, and neurologic status, as well as providing clues about faulty metabolism. Noninvasive and minimally invasive testing, (ie, need only one drop of blood, nail and hair clippings), which is better suited for testing in environments such as the workplace, private home, and other nontraditional health care settings such as churches, is made possible by better collection methods and standardized collection techniques. Newest diagnostic lab technologies include hand-held nucleic acid detectors for specific bacteria and viruses, hand-held miniaturized chip-based DNA analyzers, reagentless diagnostics that introduce the sample (hand, finger, ear lobe, etc.) to magnetic fields, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Non-invasive and minimally invasive diagnostics include infrared light to estimate glucose, rapid oral screen for HIV, proteinomics, functional and molecular techniques. Managed care and its drive for control of costs for diagnostic services exerts a tremendous effect on consumers' ability to access testing services care. This results in mixed access to services, depending upon approval or denial of coverage. A resurgence in the use of traditional, trusted diagnostic modalities, such as elec