The edges may be sealed with clear nail polish if the slide will not be examined immediately. One drop should be spread on one of the glass slides for gram stain, and another drop should be placed on the other slide for crystal examination and covered with a cover slip. If a smaller amount of fluid is obtained, the first few drops should go into the culture tube. The following materials should be available before an aspiration is performed: The physician should develop some facility in performing and interpreting a microscopic examination, in the event that the laboratory is not always immediately accessible, or if the laboratory report is questioned. Consequently, it is prudent to specify the desired tests rather than simply request a "routine" analysis. Recent studies have shown a considerable variation in what various laboratories consider to be routine and in the accuracy of their reports. The mucin clot test can be done, but adds little to the viscosity, white blood cell count, and differential as a measure of inflammation. Special cultures and chemistries may be indicated in unusual circumstances. Glucose and protein are ordered only if there is sufficient fluid. As a minimum, a white blood cell count with differential, a microscopic examination under polarized light for crystals, a gram stain, and bacteriologic cultures should be done. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the examining physician to record a gross description of the fluid (volume, color, clarity, and viscosity). There is no routine for joint fluid analysis.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |