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This section contains information about commonly used laboratory tests. It includes most of the blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid tests found in this book, with the exception of drug levels and pharmacogenetic tests (see Chapter 4). Entries are in outline format and are arranged alphabetically.
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Test/Reference Range/Collection
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This first outline listing begins with the common test name, the specimen analyzed, and any test name abbreviation (in parentheses).
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Below this, in the first outline listing, is the reference range (also called reference interval) for each test. The first entry is in conventional units, and the second entry (in [brackets]) is in SI units (Système International d'Unités). Any panic values for a particular test are placed here after the word Panic. The reference ranges provided are from several large medical centers; consult your own clinical laboratory for those used in your institution.
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This outline listing also shows which tube to use for collecting blood and other body fluids, how much the test costs (in relative symbolism; see below), and how to collect the specimen.
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The scale used for the cost of each test is:
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Listed below are the common collection tubes and their contents:
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