Textbook in PDF format

This book was originally written after feedback suggested that storytelling was very helpful to students and practitioners wanting to remember blood tests and their implications. Each section, where appropriate, therefore contains a ‘story’, as well as an overview of the relevant anatomy, physiology and biochemistry. This revised, updated edition continues to use storytelling to aid understanding, and introduces a unique 10-point system to help explain blood results. The use of storytelling has also been significantly improved and refined, following several years of feedback on the first edition. Less formal than a biochemistry textbook and containing more narrative than an online protocol, Blood Results in Clinical Practice provides an excellent, accessible introduction to blood tests and what they mean. It also enables advanced practitioners to reflect on and improve their practice; and includes new and updated sections of relevance to physiotherapists, paramedics, pharmacists and advanced nurse practitioners. Finally, it provides a resource for patients and their relatives who may be keen to know more about the meaning and function of particular blood tests.
Prelims
Preface
Blood results made easy
What are we actually measuring and why does this matter?
Family groups
Case study: Interpreting abnormal results
The full blood count
Coagulation and deep vein thrombosis
Inflammatory markers
The immune system
Transfusion testing
Chronic disease markers: Diabetes
Chronic disease markers: Cholesterol
Chronic disease markers: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acid base
Thyroid function
Bone profile
Renal function: Urea and electrolytes
Liver function tests
Afterword
Further reading and references
Index