35. Laboratory tests PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE FOR MEDICINE

PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE FOR MEDICINE

35. Laboratory tests

A	A microbiology request form A Microbiology request for uses a number of abbreviations for specimen types.
B	A Biochemistry and Haematology lab report
C	Terms used to describe lab results. When the results are within the normal range, doctors say: Potassium is within normal limits/ normal/unremarkable. Unit of abbreviation Full form g/L grams per litre L/L litres per litre 109/L times ten to have the power nine per litre Fl femtolitres mmol/L millimols per litre umol/L or µmol/L micromoles per litre U/L units per litre

EXERCISES

35.1	Write the name of the specimen for each of the suspected conditions. Look at A above to help you. Suspected condition Specimen anaemia _______________________ bacterial conjunctivitis _______________________ genital herpes _______________________ meningitis _______________________ septicaemia _______________________ urinary infection _______________________ urinary infection (catheter in place) _______________________
35.2	Complete the sentences describing the results of the report in B above. Look at C above to help you. 1 Haemoglobin is _____________ _____________ _____________, one hundred and forty three _____________ per litre. 2 Creatinine is slightly _____________, fifty eight _____________ _____________ litre.
35.3	Write full descriptions of the following results from a case history. Look at B and C above and at 35.2 above to help you. Na 138, K 4.5, WCC 12.2, HCT 0.224, MCV 72.5, Alk. Phos 72, ALT 9

Answer key