Chronic Disease - Lab Exercise
Chronic Disease - Lab Exercise
Completion requirements
**LAB EXERCISE TITLE & INFORMATION**
* LAB EXERCISE TITLE: "Assessment of Chronic Disease Management in Clinical Laboratory Settings"
* DURATION: 2-3 hours
* GROUP SIZE: 4-6 students
* DIFFICULTY LEVEL: STEP3 (Advanced)
**LEARNING OBJECTIVES**
1. Perform a comprehensive metabolic panel to assess electrolyte and renal function.
2. Interpret laboratory results to diagnose and monitor chronic diseases, such as diabetes and kidney disease.
3. Conduct a lipid profile analysis to evaluate cardiovascular risk factors.
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of medication therapy through clinical chemistry testing.
5. Apply knowledge of laboratory safety protocols to minimize risks during specimen handling and testing.
6. Analyze data to identify trends and patterns in patient outcomes related to chronic diseases.
7. Communicate complex laboratory results effectively with healthcare providers.
**BACKGROUND & THEORY**
Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease, require comprehensive management through a combination of lifestyle modifications, medication therapy, and regular monitoring. Laboratory testing plays a critical role in assessing disease progression, monitoring response to treatment, and identifying risk factors for complications. This lab exercise aims to equip students with the practical skills necessary to perform key laboratory tests and interpret results in a clinical setting.
**MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT**
* Patient simulators or models (e.g., simulated urine, blood, and tissue samples)
* Laboratory equipment:
+ Complete Blood Count (CBC) machine
+ Chemistry analyzer
+ Lipid profile analyzer
+ Urine dipstick and microhematuria testing kit
+ Safety gloves and lab coats
+ Measuring cups and pipettes
+ Specimen containers and labels
* Reagents and standards for laboratory tests (e.g., glucose, electrolytes, lipids)
* Data tables or forms for recording results
**PROCEDURE / PROTOCOL**
1. **Pre-Lab Preparation (10 minutes)**
* Review lab procedures and safety protocols.
* Don personal protective equipment (PPE).
2. ** CBC Analysis (30 minutes)**
* Collect and label blood samples.
* Analyze hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cell count, red blood cell count, platelet count, and differential count.
* Record results on data table or form.
3. **Chemistry Panel (45 minutes)**
* Collect and analyze urine and blood samples for electrolytes, renal function, and liver enzymes.
* Use chemistry analyzer to measure glucose, creatinine, urea, potassium, sodium, chloride, and calcium levels.
4. **Lipid Profile Analysis (40 minutes)**
* Collect and analyze lipid profiles using a lipid profile analyzer.
* Record results on data table or form.
5. **Medication Therapy Evaluation (30 minutes)**
* Review patient medical history and medication therapy.
* Analyze clinical chemistry results to evaluate response to treatment.
6. **Specimen Handling and Safety (20 minutes)**
* Practice safe handling of specimens, including labeling and storage.
* Discuss laboratory safety protocols and emergency procedures.
**DATA COLLECTION & ANALYSIS**
* Record laboratory results on data tables or forms.
* Analyze results using standard laboratory reference ranges.
* Identify trends and patterns in patient outcomes related to chronic diseases.
**CLINICAL CORRELATIONS**
1. Chronic diseases, such as diabetes and kidney disease, require comprehensive management through a combination of lifestyle modifications, medication therapy, and regular monitoring.
2. Laboratory testing plays a critical role in assessing disease progression, monitoring response to treatment, and identifying risk factors for complications.
3. Effective communication of laboratory results is essential for optimal patient care.
**POST-LAB QUESTIONS**
1. What are the key laboratory tests used to diagnose and monitor chronic diseases?
2. How do you interpret laboratory results to identify trends and patterns in patient outcomes?
3. What safety protocols should be followed when handling specimens, and why?
4. How does medication therapy affect clinical chemistry results?
5. What are some common errors or pitfalls associated with laboratory testing for chronic diseases?
**ASSESSMENT CRITERIA**
* Checklist of skills demonstrated:
+ Laboratory test performance
+ Data analysis and interpretation
+ Specimen handling and safety
+ Clinical correlation and communication
* Grading rubric:
+ Accuracy and completeness of laboratory results (30%)
+ Effectiveness in data analysis and interpretation (20%)
+ Demonstrated understanding of laboratory safety protocols (15%)
+ Ability to communicate complex results effectively (25%)
+ Clinical correlation and application of knowledge (10%)
**REFERENCES & RESOURCES**
* American Diabetes Association. (2020). Standards for Medical Care in Adults, 2020-2021.
* National Kidney Foundation. (2020). Chronic Kidney Disease: A Guide to Prevention, Evaluation, and Management.
* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Lipid Testing: What's the Right Approach?
* Laboratory Safety Guidelines (e.g., OSHA, CLIA).
Video demonstrations of laboratory tests and procedures may be available upon request.
Further reading on chronic diseases and laboratory testing is recommended.
* LAB EXERCISE TITLE: "Assessment of Chronic Disease Management in Clinical Laboratory Settings"
* DURATION: 2-3 hours
* GROUP SIZE: 4-6 students
* DIFFICULTY LEVEL: STEP3 (Advanced)
**LEARNING OBJECTIVES**
1. Perform a comprehensive metabolic panel to assess electrolyte and renal function.
2. Interpret laboratory results to diagnose and monitor chronic diseases, such as diabetes and kidney disease.
3. Conduct a lipid profile analysis to evaluate cardiovascular risk factors.
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of medication therapy through clinical chemistry testing.
5. Apply knowledge of laboratory safety protocols to minimize risks during specimen handling and testing.
6. Analyze data to identify trends and patterns in patient outcomes related to chronic diseases.
7. Communicate complex laboratory results effectively with healthcare providers.
**BACKGROUND & THEORY**
Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease, require comprehensive management through a combination of lifestyle modifications, medication therapy, and regular monitoring. Laboratory testing plays a critical role in assessing disease progression, monitoring response to treatment, and identifying risk factors for complications. This lab exercise aims to equip students with the practical skills necessary to perform key laboratory tests and interpret results in a clinical setting.
**MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT**
* Patient simulators or models (e.g., simulated urine, blood, and tissue samples)
* Laboratory equipment:
+ Complete Blood Count (CBC) machine
+ Chemistry analyzer
+ Lipid profile analyzer
+ Urine dipstick and microhematuria testing kit
+ Safety gloves and lab coats
+ Measuring cups and pipettes
+ Specimen containers and labels
* Reagents and standards for laboratory tests (e.g., glucose, electrolytes, lipids)
* Data tables or forms for recording results
**PROCEDURE / PROTOCOL**
1. **Pre-Lab Preparation (10 minutes)**
* Review lab procedures and safety protocols.
* Don personal protective equipment (PPE).
2. ** CBC Analysis (30 minutes)**
* Collect and label blood samples.
* Analyze hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cell count, red blood cell count, platelet count, and differential count.
* Record results on data table or form.
3. **Chemistry Panel (45 minutes)**
* Collect and analyze urine and blood samples for electrolytes, renal function, and liver enzymes.
* Use chemistry analyzer to measure glucose, creatinine, urea, potassium, sodium, chloride, and calcium levels.
4. **Lipid Profile Analysis (40 minutes)**
* Collect and analyze lipid profiles using a lipid profile analyzer.
* Record results on data table or form.
5. **Medication Therapy Evaluation (30 minutes)**
* Review patient medical history and medication therapy.
* Analyze clinical chemistry results to evaluate response to treatment.
6. **Specimen Handling and Safety (20 minutes)**
* Practice safe handling of specimens, including labeling and storage.
* Discuss laboratory safety protocols and emergency procedures.
**DATA COLLECTION & ANALYSIS**
* Record laboratory results on data tables or forms.
* Analyze results using standard laboratory reference ranges.
* Identify trends and patterns in patient outcomes related to chronic diseases.
**CLINICAL CORRELATIONS**
1. Chronic diseases, such as diabetes and kidney disease, require comprehensive management through a combination of lifestyle modifications, medication therapy, and regular monitoring.
2. Laboratory testing plays a critical role in assessing disease progression, monitoring response to treatment, and identifying risk factors for complications.
3. Effective communication of laboratory results is essential for optimal patient care.
**POST-LAB QUESTIONS**
1. What are the key laboratory tests used to diagnose and monitor chronic diseases?
2. How do you interpret laboratory results to identify trends and patterns in patient outcomes?
3. What safety protocols should be followed when handling specimens, and why?
4. How does medication therapy affect clinical chemistry results?
5. What are some common errors or pitfalls associated with laboratory testing for chronic diseases?
**ASSESSMENT CRITERIA**
* Checklist of skills demonstrated:
+ Laboratory test performance
+ Data analysis and interpretation
+ Specimen handling and safety
+ Clinical correlation and communication
* Grading rubric:
+ Accuracy and completeness of laboratory results (30%)
+ Effectiveness in data analysis and interpretation (20%)
+ Demonstrated understanding of laboratory safety protocols (15%)
+ Ability to communicate complex results effectively (25%)
+ Clinical correlation and application of knowledge (10%)
**REFERENCES & RESOURCES**
* American Diabetes Association. (2020). Standards for Medical Care in Adults, 2020-2021.
* National Kidney Foundation. (2020). Chronic Kidney Disease: A Guide to Prevention, Evaluation, and Management.
* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Lipid Testing: What's the Right Approach?
* Laboratory Safety Guidelines (e.g., OSHA, CLIA).
Video demonstrations of laboratory tests and procedures may be available upon request.
Further reading on chronic diseases and laboratory testing is recommended.
Last modified: Sunday, 9 November 2025, 5:47 PM