When you go to the E.R. and they draw blood what are they checking for?

Question

what type are test are ran, i was sick one time and they told me i was ok, just what did they check 4?

Answer 1

Blood tests are used to determine physiological and biochemical states such as disease, mineral content, drug effectiveness, and organ function. Since blood flows throughout the body, acting as a medium for providing oxygen and nutrients, and drawing waste products back to the excretory systems for disposal, the state of the bloodstream affects, or is affected by, many medical conditions. For these reasons, blood tests are the most commonly performed medical tests.

For the majority of blood tests, blood is usually obtained from the patient's vein. However, certain specialized blood tests, such as the Arterial blood gas, require blood extracted from an artery.

Blood is useful as it is a relatively non-invasive way to obtain cells, and extracellular fluid (plasma), from the body for analysis. Although the term blood test is used, most routine tests (except for most haematology) are done on plasma or serum.

Answer 2

It depends on what you are being seen for.

Fever: a CBC (complete blood count) and a blood culture.

DKA: complete metabolic panel (which includes serum glucose and potassium levels), an A1C, a CBC, amonia, magnesium and possibly a blood culture. In some cases, an ABG (arterial blood gas...checks for metabolic acidosis) will also be done (this is arterial and requires another stick).

Nausea/Vomiting: complete metabolic panel, CBC, maybe a gastrin serum or H. Pylori and maybe blood culture.

See? It just depends. If you want to know, just ask. They will tell you. Many hospital ERs will draw what is called a "rainbow". Blood collection tubes are colored differently from each other because they are used for different testing. A rainbow consists of one tube of every color with the exception of 2 of the red ones. If the tubes are not used, they are disposed of.

EMT

Note: the tests I listed above are examples...most hospitals have different protocols and may not adhere to what I mentioned.

Answer 3

I used to work in an ER. Blood tests are done for a variety of reasons. It really depends on the reason you are being seen. One common test is to look at you WBC's (white blood cell count). If there is an over abundance of white blood cells, an infection could be a culprit. Honestly, it varies from doctor to doctor and what the symptoms are.

Answer 4

being a diabetic - there the A1C test which can show the average blood sugar count for the last 90 days - all from one syringe

along with your current glucose, cholesterol, and 30 other items

all the best

Answer 5

They look for the lawsuit gene. If it's not present, they discharge you.

****Note: this answer is a sarcastic view of reality.

Answer 6

That depends on what your symptoms are.