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Diagnostic, Lab & Imaging Terminology

Duration: 50 min · Level: Foundational · Module: 2. Medical Terminology & Body Systems · Focus: lab, imaging, diagnostics, results, documentation

Learning objectives

By the end of this lesson you will be able to explain and apply:

  • Complete blood count (CBC) components
  • Basic metabolic panel (BMP)
  • Imaging modalities
  • Radiology report structure
  • Critical values

Why this matters​

CEHRS specialists handle orders, results, and reports for diagnostic tests daily.

Overview​

CEHRS specialists handle orders, results, and reports for diagnostic tests daily. Understanding what each test measures, its normal ranges, and how results are documented enables accurate data entry, correct coding, and meaningful quality reporting.

Key concepts​

Key idea

Complete blood count (CBC) components: WBC (white blood cells, normal 4.5-11.0 K/μL), RBC, hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit (Hct), platelets; abnormal values trigger clinical alerts in EHR

  • Basic metabolic panel (BMP): sodium, potassium, chloride, CO2, BUN, creatinine, glucose, calcium; creatinine/BUN elevations indicate kidney dysfunction
  • Imaging modalities: X-ray (bone, chest), CT scan (computed tomography, cross-sectional), MRI (soft tissue detail, no radiation), ultrasound (real-time, no radiation, OB standard), PET scan (metabolic activity, cancer staging)
  • Radiology report structure: indication, technique, findings, impression; the "impression" section contains the radiologist's diagnosis — what matters for coding
  • Critical values: lab results so abnormal they require immediate clinician notification; CEHRS staff may need to relay critical values — potassium <2.5 or >6.5 mEq/L, blood glucose <40 or >500 mg/dL
  • Point-of-care testing (POCT): rapid tests performed at bedside (glucose meters, troponin, flu/COVID tests); results must be documented in EHR and linked to the patient encounter

Check your understanding​

Try to recall each answer before expanding it.

Q1. What do you know about Complete blood count (CBC) components?

WBC (white blood cells, normal 4.5-11.0 K/μL), RBC, hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit (Hct), platelets; abnormal values trigger clinical alerts in EHR

Q2. What do you know about Basic metabolic panel (BMP)?

sodium, potassium, chloride, CO2, BUN, creatinine, glucose, calcium; creatinine/BUN elevations indicate kidney dysfunction

Q3. What do you know about Imaging modalities?

X-ray (bone, chest), CT scan (computed tomography, cross-sectional), MRI (soft tissue detail, no radiation), ultrasound (real-time, no radiation, OB standard), PET scan (metabolic activity, cancer staging)

Q4. What do you know about Radiology report structure?

indication, technique, findings, impression; the "impression" section contains the radiologist's diagnosis — what matters for coding

Q5. What do you know about Critical values?

lab results so abnormal they require immediate clinician notification; CEHRS staff may need to relay critical values — potassium <2.5 or >6.5 mEq/L, blood glucose <40 or >500 mg/dL

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Part of Module 2: Medical Terminology & Body Systems.