Venous blood sampling is a diagnostic procedure in which a needle is inserted into a particular vein and a sample of blood is collected for laboratory analysis. Venous blood is deoxygenated blood that flows from tiny capillary blood vessels within the tissues into progressively larger veins to the right side of the heart. Most of […]
Pap Smear – Indications, Method and Significance
The Pap test or the Pap smear is a screening test to detect cervical cancer. In Pap testing, cells are collected from the cervix which is the lower end of the uterus. These cells are then examined microscopically to look for any abnormality. The significance of this procedure lies in the fact that it can […]
Bethesda System for Reporting Cervical and Vaginal Cytology
Bethesda system is a system for reporting cervical and vaginal cytology or Pap smear results. It was developed during a workshop sponsored by the National Cancer Institute at Bethesda, Maryland in the United States. It was first introduced in 1988 and later revised in 1991 and 2001. The primary objective of this system was to […]
Nasogastric Tube Insertion
Nasogastric tube insertion is a medical procedure in which a plastic tube ( nasogastric tube or NG tube or Ryle’s tube) is inserted into the stomach via the nose. This procedure provides access to the stomach and its contents for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Indications for Nasogastric Tube Insertion A nasogastric tube provides access to […]
Vacutainer ® and Their Use in Blood Sampling
A Vacutainer ® is a blood collection tube (sterile glass or plastic tube) used to collect blood samples for laboratory testing. These tubes have a closure that is evacuated to create a vacuum inside the tube thereby enabling a predetermined amount of blood to be withdrawn. Vacutainer ® tubes were invented by Joseph Kleiner and Becton […]
Heel Stick or Heel Lance for Blood Sampling
Heel stick or heel lance is a minimally invasive method to obtain blood sample. It withdraws capillary blood samples and is used especially in newborn screens and glucose levels. It can be used for routine tests too as lab techniques now require smaller sample volumes. Heel sticks can be used when venous access cannot be […]