which abbreviation stands for pathological condition

The liver cleanses the blood of waste products, but can function poorly if the person is sick. As the name suggests, LFTs check how well the liver is working. The same blood sample taken for an EUC test can be used for LFTs. The results are usually available in a short time. Some bruising may result after this test is done. The most common arteries used are those in the patient’s wrists because these arteries are easy to get to. But this test may be done more often than the EUC test, especially if the lung function is weakened and/or the person is receiving respiratory support.Īn ABG test is done using a smaller needle than other blood tests, but blood must be taken from an artery. Most people admitted to the ICU will need at least one ABG, usually upon admission. it gives an idea of the metabolic balance in the body.Įxamples of conditions where the ABG measurement is important could include pneumonia, poorly controlled diabetes, cardiac failure and kidney failure.it will show whether or not the respiratory (breathing) support the person is receiving is enough.it tells the intensive care staff how well the lungs are functioning (showing the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels).An ABG test is extremely important for several reasons, such as: This test involves taking a small amount of blood, around 1-2mL from an artery. The results are usually available within 1-2 hours.

If potassium (an essential body salt) is being replaced, the test may be repeated to see if enough has been given. For example, if a person is on dialysis, this test is usually done four times a day. If there is a concern about kidney function or chemical balance, then EUC tests will be repeated more often. And urea and creatinine levels show how well the kidneys are working.Īn EUC test is usually done when a person is admitted to the ICU, and then regularly, which could be daily. This test will also show whether a body salt needs to be replaced. An imbalance in the chemical makeup of the blood can happen in a number of medical conditions. This test looks at the basic chemical balance of the blood, as well as kidney function. Tests on this pageīlood tests Electrolytes (sodium, potassium and chloride), urea, creatinine (EUC)Īn EUC test involves taking between 1-4mL of blood from either a vein or an artery. If you have further questions, please ask the nurses and doctors caring for the person in the ICU. However, if the results are of serious concern, such as anaemia or worsening kidney function, they will usually be explained. This is because a proper understanding of the results is difficult without a background in medicine or the health sciences. It is probably not helpful for the person in the ICU and their loved ones to become anxious about the day-to-day results of most blood tests.

Usually the tests are explained generally, such as whether the results were normal or abnormal. But, unfortunately, some tests cannot be done using an arterial line.Īll staff who withdraw blood for these tests are trained to minimise the person’s discomfort. It stays there to help minimise the person's discomfort from repeated needles.

This catheter is called an arterial line. However, because blood tests need to be done more often in ICU, a thin catheter is inserted into an artery. Most tests are done in the same way as an outpatient pathology service – that is, blood is withdrawn from a vein in the arm. However, in a number of different situations, some tests will be repeated quite often. Most often, testing happens when the person is first admitted to ICU, and then every day. The types of tests and how often they are done depend on why the person is in ICU and how stable they are. Why so many different tests and so often? This is to help diagnose potential medical problems or to see how well their treatment is working. For this reason, they will have a wide variety of tests done on different body fluids, such as blood and urine. People in intensive care are usually seriously ill and their condition changes often. Why do people in intensive care have lots of blood tests? People who are seriously ill and admitted into the intensive care unit (ICU) will have a wide variety of tests done on different body fluids, such as blood and urine.

Which abbreviation stands for pathological condition