NAME: ABIBATOU SITOU COURSE: MLS 600

ASSIGNMENT #3: MODEL DIAGNOSTIC

1. Briefly explain the principles and purpose of “tracer methodology” as it applies to
laboratory testing.

The tracer methodology is implemented in the laboratory sector to improve the quality of
services delivered and lower mistakes (Turgeon, M.L., 2021). There are three distinct steps in
the tracer testing and analysis process: pre-analytics, analytics, and post-analytics. Every phase
involves its own procedures that are being investigated, from the point of collecting the
specimen through specimen testing and the presentation of findings. In the tracer test, every
detail is scrutinized, including the methods followed, the means by which the devices were
calibrated and utilized. Also, the temperature of the devices and samples are duly observed for
adherence. In the event of returning to the testing facility and diagnostic department, a specific
kind of tracer methodology called the system tracer investigates the process by which the
various sections of an entity interact and share knowledge. As a result, when we return to the
laboratory tests department, it analyzes the appropriate transfer of information, for instance, the
exchange of the patient's allergic reactions in a bid to avoid the prescription and
administration of incorrect medication for the patient.

2. From the clinical scenarios presented below, your task is to choose one of the
scenarios and outline a testing protocol leading to the clinical diagnosis. Your
protocol should start with the clinical picture, and will lead to the different types of
diagnostic testing which will eventually lead to the clinical diagnosis. Each step of
testing should include the results and the conclusion based on those results. Certain
results may lead to additional testing. At the end of your protocol the various results
are combined to form the conclusion which is your clinical diagnosis. Your answer
should be clearly outlined in a tabular format showing the steps leading from initial
screening of the patient to the diagnosis. Protocols should be kept to one page.
CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS 3:
A 36-year-old pregnant woman on a routine visit to her physician complained of
constantly feeling tired and thirsty. Her doctor did a routine workup on her. As he
suspected, she had a diagnosis of gestational diabetes. Outline the type of workup
initiated and the steps leading to this diagnosis.

Gestational diabetes, also known as gestational diabetes mellitus or (GDM), is a frequent

pregnancy condition marked by reduced ability to tolerate glucose leading to hyperglycemia that
begins or first becomes apparent in pregnancy. It becomes evident when the cells of a pregnant
woman are unable to absorb glucose from the bloodstream as a result, which raises her blood
sugar levels (Turgeon, M.L., 2021). Parity, older maternal age, genealogy of diabetes mellitus,
prior GDM, non-white race, overweight, obesity, and resistance to insulin are among the risk
factors for the development of GDM. The signs of GDM include tiredness, frequent urination,
nausea, impaired vision, motion sickness, increased hydration, and a bacterial infections.

It was discovered during the usual examination that the woman experienced generalized
symptoms brought on by pregnancy-related exhaustion. The woman was over 35 years old,
obese, and several of her relatives had recently been diagnosed with diabetes. Additionally, for a
26-week old pregnancy, the fetus was larger than typical. Given that she was pregnant at the
time of diagnosis, these observed symptoms suggested that the pregnant woman had gestational
diabetes.

The doctor then proceeded to inquire some information from the woman as a means to determine
whether she was under any medications that might have been responsible for possible
discrepancies in her blood sugar levels as at the time the test was conducted. Because the woman
did not indicate the use of any medications that might have affected her blood sugar levels, the
doctor then tested the woman's blood sugar levels. The medical professional next carried out an
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) to check for any signs that may further detect the presence
of gestational diabetes. The woman's blood was collected for this test, and after that, her blood
sugar level was checked; it came back at a high but normal 7.8mmol/L. The lady was
subsequently given glucose-infused water. A second blood sample was taken from the woman
after an hour to check her blood sugar levels, which were high at 11.0 mmol/L. Her blood was
again obtained an hour later to assess her blood sugar levels, which had somewhat decreased but
were still recognizably high at 10.4mmol/L; this was clearly a sign of gestational diabetes.

3. After the protocols have been outlined, “trace” the specimen (s) from the
time of collection to the time the lab test was completed.

Prior beginning any test or drawing blood from this patient, the phlebotomist must put on a
fresh, clean glove. A unique blood glucose testing kit was employed; it included a meter, a box
of testing strips, a blood lancet, and a form for recording blood sugar readings (Turgeon, M.L.,
2021). The blood lancet was then filled with a fresh needle after the testing strip had been
withdrawn from its packaging and put into the meter. The blood lancet was adjusted to 3, the
typical depth at which a needle may penetrate skin. The side of the ring finger was punctured
with the blood lancet to extract the needed blood sample, which was then applied to the tip of
the testing strips. The blood sugar level was then determined by the meter, and it was indicated
in mmol/L. A secure disposal point was utilized to properly eliminate and dispose of the used
testing strips and needle. For every test, the procedure was done three times and was noted on
the page. Another method or approach involves cleaning the woman's hand with cotton soaked
in alcohol before drawing blood as a means of preventing possible infections that may arise from
contaminants on the woman's hands. The top half of the arm was then bound with a band to
reveal the veins in the arms. The next step is to draw blood by inserting a clean needle into a
vein. The phlebotomist applied a bandage to the injected area after drawing blood. The woman is
subsequently directed to press on to the area where the blood was drawn in an effort to halt any
potential bleeding or avoid scarring (Turgeon, M.L., 2021). The test findings showed that
the blood sugar levels of the woman was higher than usual at 10.4 mmol/L, which implied
that she had GDM.

References
Turgeon, M.L., 2022. Clinical Laboratory Science-E-Book: Concepts, Procedures, and Clinical
Applications. Elsevier Health Sciences.