Lesson 1Metabolic panels: basic and comprehensive metabolic panel components and clinical significanceExplores basic and comprehensive metabolic panels, covering analytes included, sample needs, normal ranges, and how odd patterns help check kidney work, blood sugar, salts, and general body balance in local patients.
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 at kidney function and salt tests like BUN, creatinine, anion gap, and osmolality, stressing sample handling issues, calculations, and reading results for sudden kidney problems, dryness, and acid-base issues common here.
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)Offers a clear way to pick tests from symptoms like chest pain, painful urine, or yellow skin, pointing out main panels, quick checks, warning signs, and when to move to further tests in busy clinics.
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 cultureCovers standard urine tests with dipstick chemicals and sediment under microscope, linking to kidney and bladder issues, rules for growing bugs, and spotting mix-ups or poor 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 timingGuides choice and timing of heart markers like troponin I/T, CK-MB, BNP, focusing on release patterns, repeat tests, test glitches, and matching 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 triggersStarts with blood tests for urgent cases, covering full blood count, cell types, young red cell count, and when to check slides, aiding 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 testsTeaches picking germ tests by source, like urine and blood grows, quick germ and gene tests, and how time, amount, and carry conditions affect finding bugs and trusting results.
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 patternsCovers liver tests like AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, bilirubin types, spotting patterns for liver cell damage, blockages, 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 lactateReviews clotting tests and quick bedside checks like PT/INR, aPTT, D-dimer, finger sugar and lactate, stressing uses, limits, and fast alerts for danger 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
