Lesson 1Metabolic panels: basic and comprehensive metabolic panel components and clinical significanceThis lesson covers basic and comprehensive metabolic panels, listing the analytes included, sample needs, normal ranges, and how unusual patterns help assess kidney function, blood sugar levels, salts balance, and general body metabolism.
BMP vs CMP: included analytes and indicationsElectrolyte patterns in dehydration and acidosisGlucose, calcium, and renal markers in panelsSpecimen handling, hemolysis, and interferencesInterpreting multi-analyte trends over timeLesson 2Renal and electrolytes: BUN, creatinine, electrolytes, anion gap, serum osmolalityWe explore kidney function and salt tests like BUN, creatinine, anion gap, and osmolality, stressing sample handling issues, calculation steps, and reading results in cases of sudden kidney problems, water loss, and acid-base imbalances.
BUN and creatinine: physiology and limitationsEstimated GFR calculations and clinical useElectrolyte panels and anion gap calculationSerum osmolality and osmolar gap assessmentPreanalytical factors affecting renal testsLesson 3Principles of test selection based on presenting symptoms (chest pain, dysuria, jaundice)Learn a clear method for picking tests from symptoms like chest pain, painful urination, or yellow skin, covering main panels, exclusion tactics, warning signs, and when to move to advanced or confirming tests.
Chest pain: cardiac, metabolic, and D-dimer testsDysuria: urinalysis, culture, and STI panelsJaundice: liver tests and hemolysis markersFever and sepsis: culture and lactate strategyAlgorithmic test pathways and reflex rulesLesson 4Urinalysis components: dipstick chemistry, microscopic sediment, indications for cultureWe detail standard urine testing, including strip chemistry and sediment under microscope, focusing on links to kidney and bladder issues, rules for follow-up culture, and spotting mix-ups or collection faults.
Urine collection methods and preservationDipstick parameters and common interferencesMicroscopic sediment: cells, casts, and crystalsCriteria for reflex or indicated urine cultureDistinguishing contamination from true infectionLesson 5Cardiac biomarker selection: troponin I/T, CK-MB, BNP — indications and timingThis covers choosing and timing heart markers like troponin I/T, CK-MB, and BNP, with focus on release patterns, repeat sampling plans, test interferences, and combining with risk scores and heart tracings.
Troponin I vs T: assay features and cutoffsSerial sampling and delta troponin strategyCK-MB: legacy uses and current limitationsBNP and NT-proBNP in heart failure workupInterferences and false-positive elevationsLesson 6Hematology basics for acute presentation: CBC interpretation, differential, reticulocyte count, peripheral smear triggersGet started with blood tests in emergencies, focusing on full blood count, cell types, young red cell count, and when to check smears, supporting checks for infections, low blood, bleeding risks, and marrow issues.
CBC parameters and critical value flagsDifferential patterns in infection and allergyAnemia classification and reticulocyte countPeripheral smear triggers and key findingsPreanalytical issues in hematology samplesLesson 7Microbiology tests selection: urine culture, blood culture indications, specimen-dependent rapid testsFocus on picking germ tests by suspected site, including urine and blood cultures, quick antigen and gene tests, and how timing, amount, and transport affect finding germs and result trust.
Indications and timing for urine culturesBlood culture sets, volume, and contaminationSource-specific rapid antigen and PCR testsAnaerobic, wound, and respiratory culturesTransport media, temperature, and stabilityLesson 8Liver function tests: AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, total and direct bilirubin — interpretation patternsWe explain liver tests like AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, and bilirubin types, stressing pattern spotting for liver cell damage, bile flow blocks, and invasions, plus sample and drug effects.
AST and ALT in hepatocellular injuryALP and GGT in cholestatic processesTotal vs direct bilirubin and jaundice typesPattern recognition in mixed liver diseaseSpecimen handling and drug interferencesLesson 9Coagulation and bedside tests relevant to urgent care: PT/INR, aPTT, D-dimer, point-of-care glucose and lactateReview clotting tests and quick bedside checks like PT/INR, aPTT, D-dimer, bedside sugar and lactate, emphasising uses, limits, and fast sharing of urgent or alarm values.
PT/INR: monitoring warfarin and liver functionaPTT: intrinsic pathway and heparin therapyD-dimer in suspected venous thromboembolismPoint-of-care glucose: accuracy and pitfallsLactate in shock and sepsis assessment
