MUSOM - Intro to Labs

An introduction to Labs from MUSOM - After obtaining a history and performing a physical examination a physician may elect to “order blood work” or “run a test”. The following section details the common blood work and tests physicians order so you can become familiar with them as they are discussed throughout the year. Laboratory ranges for “normal” values will vary slightly from lab to lab. Therefore, it is important to review the normal ranges for the lab from which the test was ordered. In addition, pediatric lab values vary dramatically for different patient ages so consultation with a reliable source such as The Harriet Lane Handbook is imperative.