MA 216 - Clinical Diagnostic Orientation

Credit Hours: 4

A laboratory course which is designed to provide the medical assistant with entry-level skills in diagnostic laboratory orientation. Patient education for all procedures will be emphasized. Laboratory sessions provide practice in proper procedures for patient preparation, collection, handling, storage and/or transportation of clinical specimens; laboratory testing procedures including reference ranges and their clinical significance; quality control; and aseptic practices. Fundamentals of the purposes and techniques including special examination; recording of electrocardiogram; recording spirometry; administration of medications; and phlebotomy will be presented.

Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

list 10 examples of biologic specimens and describe proper procedures for collection, handling, storage, and/or transport of these specimens;
instruct a patient in the prior preparation necessary and in what to expect during the collection of the specimen;
perform venipuncture on training arm using appropriate anticoagulant when necessary;
identify and define the nine categories of laboratory tests based on function and list the major tests included under each category;
apply quality control methods in all areas including advance patient preparation, specimen collection, handling, transportation, and laboratory testing;
identify and incorporate laboratory safety guidelines in performance laboratory test procedures;
state the reference (normal) ranges for the more common laboratory tests;
demonstrate proper preparation and administration of oral medication; and correct handling of equipment and dosage for parenteral administration of medication;
demonstrate competency in the performance of selected laboratory procedures and/or diagnostic tests in the following categories: hematology, clinical chemistry, serology, urinalysis, microbiology, parasitology, and immunohematology;
demonstrate proper procedures for recording and mounting a standard 12-lead electrocardiogram;
demonstrate proper procedure for performance of spirometry;
identify the medical assistant’s role in assisting with various specialty examinations;
apply proper medical terminology in all areas listed above; and
list the criteria required for the performance of a lab test by writing a test protocol for a laboratory procedure manual.

Prerequisites: BI 147, BI 150/BI 151, BI 152 , MA 115, MA 125, MA 126.
Corequisites: BI 230, BI 231
F/S (N)