AH-116: Interpreting Medical Lab Reports

School
Health and Human Services
Division
Health Careers
Department
Health Careers
Academic Level
Undergraduate
Course Subject
Allied Health
Course Number
116
Course Title
Interpreting Medical Lab Reports
Credit Hours
3.00
Instructor Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Student Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Grading Method
A-E
Catalog Course Description

For health career and nursing students who need to recognize normal and abnormal values of the commonly used diagnostic tests. Presents values of common medical laboratory diagnostic tests and relates them to the common disorders or diseases.

Goals, Topics, and Objectives

Core Course Topics
  1. Introduction to the Medical Laboratory
  2. Routine Urinalysis and Tests of Renal Function
  3. The Complete Blood Count
  4. Liver Function Tests
  5. Glucose Testing
  6. Tests of Lipid Metabolism
  7. Tests of Electrolyte Balance
  8. Chemistry Profiles
  9. Tests of Pancreatic Function
  10. Arterial Blood Gases and Acid-Base Balance
  11. Tests for Myocardial Infarction
  12. Thyroid Function Tests
  13. Tests for Endocrine Disorders
  14. Testing for Coagulation and Fibrinolytic Disorders
  15. Basic Microbiology & Miscellaneous Clinical Tests
Core Course Learning Objectives (Separated)
  1. Characterize the key structural, functional, terminology, and control issues found in a typical medical laboratory.
  2. Differentiate between False Negative and False Positive test results.*
  3. Recognize the routine tests extracted from a urinalysis and relate to common renal disorders.
  4. Identify the key components of the Complete Blood Count (CBC)
  5. Identify common clinical disorders causing changes in the CBC values.
  6. Recognize the basic tests used to assess liver function and relate to the common hepatic disorders.
  7. Relate the basic components of glucose testing to its clinical significance.
  8. Discuss the clinical significance of the key laboratory tests for lipid metabolism.
  9. Explain the basic physiology involved with as well as the clinical significance of electrolyte balance.
  10. Identify the units which compose the basic chemistry or general health profile and discuss the clinical significance.
  11. List the tests used to assess pancreatic function and relate its clinical significance.
  12. Explain the basic clinical significance of arterial blood gases.
  13. Differentiate the four key classifications of acid-base balance.
  14. Identify the tests used to determine myocardial damage and relate to key clinical situations.
  15. Relate the assessment of thyroid function to key clinical situations.
  16. Identify tests used to evaluate the endocrine system and state the clinical significance.
  17. Relate the tests used to assess coagulation and fibrinolytic disorders to its the clinical significance.
  18. Discuss the basic concepts of medical microbiology and its clinical significance.
  19. Discuss the clinical testing for immune disorders, pregnancy, and tumor markers.                             

Assessment and Requirements

Assessment of Academic Achievement

The final course grade will be calculated using a combination of tests, quizzes, assignments and participation. The grading scale is:

  • 90- 100%         A
  • 80- 89%           B
  • 70- 79%           C
  • 60- 69%           D
  •   < 60%            E
General Course Requirements and Recommendations

Instructors (or their designees) reserve the right to require students to provide proper picture identification for test taking, graded papers or projects or other appropriate purposes.  HFCC Policy on Academic Dishonesty (Cheating) will be followed in this course.

Effective Term
Summer 2014