Clinical Laboratory Tests

• blood analyzer - automated machine that analyzes different characteristics of a blood specimen
• blood culture and sensitivity (C&S) - incubation of blood to identify bacteria and determine the best antibiotic to use against them
• Complete blood count (CBC) - tests including RBC count, WBC count, Hb count, Hct, white blood cell differential and platelet counts
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) determines the rate at which RBC's settle in a test tube
• Hematocrit (HCT) - measures volume of RBCs
• Hemoglobin (Hb) - measures amount of hemoglobin present
• white blood cell count (WBC) - measures the number of white blood cells
• white blood cell differential: determines the number of each kind of white blood cell
• bone marrow aspiration - sample of bone marrow removed by aspiration and examined for diseases such as leukemia or aplastic anemia
• phlebotomy - incision into vein to withdraw blood for testing (venipuncture)