General concepts
 
Laboratory tests are ordered and interpreted within the context of a specific patient as routine screening during a periodic examination, in the setting of an illness for diagnosis or follow-up, or for preoperative certification of normal. Clinical judgment is applied in both the selection of tests and in their interpretation, and unexpected results should be considered within the framework of the patient and the disease. Some unexpected results may require confirmation, particularly if the integrity of the specimen cannot be insured (eg, heparin contamination or delayed processing). Also, any laboratory result can be incorrect for a variety of reasons, from . . . [Full Text of this Article]


Terminology
 

Specific laboratory testing
 
Automated cell counting
Aperture-impedance counters
Optical method counters
Erythrocyte analysis
Leukocyte analysis
Platelet analysis
Reticulocyte analysis
Peripheral blood morphology
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Leukocyte alkaline phosphatase score
Bone marrow aspirate and biopsy
Immunocytochemical and immunohistochemical stains
Preparation of bone marrow samples for ancillary studies
Ancillary testing
Flow cytometry
Normal hematopoiesis
Cytogenetics
Molecular diagnostics
Southern blotting
Polymerase chain reaction
Hemostasis and thrombosis
Coagulation testing
Overview of key points
1:1 mixing study
Specific factor assays
Expected ranges in pediatric patients
Prothrombin time
Activated partial thromboplastin time
Combined abnormalities of PT and aPTT
Thrombin time
Fibrinogen assays
Reptilase time
von Willebrand factor assays
Ristocetin cofactor and vWF antigen.
VWF activity
Disseminated intravascular coagulation
Fibrinolysis
Quantitation of platelets
Evaluation of platelet function
Platelet aggregation
Platelet function analyzers
The template bleeding time
Assays for platelet antibodies
Assays for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
Assays for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and the von Willebrand factor cleaving protease (ADAMTS13)
Bleeding in the absence of abnormal coagulation tests and platelet abnormalities
Evaluation of thrombophilia