Lesson 1Metabolic panels: basic and comprehensive metabolic panel components and clinical significanceCovers basic and full metabolic panels, including all de analytes inside, specimen needs, normal ranges, and how bad patterns show kidney work, sugar control, salts, and whole body balance.
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 osmolalityLooks deep into kidney tests and salts, like BUN, creatinine, anion gap, and osmolality, stressing before-test issues, how to calculate, and reading dem in sudden kidney hurt, dry body, and acid-base mix-ups.
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)Gives straight way to choose tests from symptoms like chest pain, painful wee-wee, and yellow skin, pointing out main panels, rule-out plans, danger signs, and when to step up to fancy or confirm 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 cultureGoes into regular urine check, with stick chemistry and tiny bits under scope, stressing link to kidney and urine pipe sickness, rules for extra culture, and spotting dirt or bad collection.
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 timingCovers picking and timing heart markers like troponin I/T, CK-MB, BNP, focusing on release timing, repeat sampling, test mix-ups, and mixing 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 triggersIntroduces blood tests for sudden cases, zeroing on full blood count, cell types, young red cell count, and when to check smear, and how dese help check infection, low blood, bleed risk, and bone 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 testsFocuses on picking germ tests by suspected spot, like urine and blood cultures, quick germ and gene tests, and how time, amount, and carry conditions 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 patternsExplains liver work and hurt tests, like AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, and bilirubin parts, stressing pattern spotting for liver cell damage, block, and infiltration sickness, plus before-test and drug mix-ups.
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 lactateReviews blood clotting tests and quick bedside checks, like PT/INR, aPTT, D-dimer, spot sugar and lactate, stressing when to use, limits, and fast sharing of danger or panic numbers.
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
