Full Blood Count

Full Blood Count The full blood count is one of the most important common tests the clinicians use. Whilst there are many variables and values that this includes, as a junior doctor, you will mostly be focussing on 3. Haemoglobin This is the functional molecule of...

Blood Films

Blood Films A blood film is the process where blood cells are taken and spread on a slide for histological analysis. – Particular conditions can lead to the presence of specific blood cells which can be seen in a blood smear  Target Cells (Mexican Hat) These are...

Coagulation Studies

Coagulation Studies The coagulation cascade converts fibrinogen to fibrin –  Coagulation factors are produced in the liver in an inactive state. –  Extrinsic pathway requires Tissue Factor (activates Factor VII) –  Intrinsic pathway is activated by...

Anion Gap

Anion Gap Anion Gap: We can also calculate the anion gap from an ABG. This is value of measured anions  subtracted from the value of measured cations in serum plasma. – It is very useful in helping to work out the cause of a metabolic acidosis. – As HCO3...

Base Excess

Base Excess This is a value given to you on the ABG. Base excess = amount of strong acid that must be added to each litre of fully oxygenated blood to return the pH to 7.40 at a temperature of 37°C and a pCO2 of 40 mmHg (2).   Whilst P(CO2) defines the...