LABORATORY ACTIVITY NO.
1 ● Microscope - manual
The Clinical Analysis Areas of the Laboratory
I. General Information
Name of the Institution: Cagayan Valley Medical
Center (CVMC)
Address of the Institution: 1 Dalan na Pagayaya,
Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
Classification of the Clinical Laboratory:
A. Classification by Ownership: Cagayan
Valley Medical Center is a government-
owned laboratory providing quality
patient care.
B. Classification by Function: Cagayan
Valley Medical Center caters to both
anatomic and clinical pathology.
C. Classification by Service Capability:
Cagayan Valley Medical Center is a
tertiary laboratory committed to its
mission of providing quality but
affordable laboratory tests to patients.
Name of the Registered Medical Technologist:
Grethle Grace Awingan
II. Laboratory Services
A. Clinical Microscopy - This section
performs routine and special tests on
patients’ urine and fecal samples. These
samples are chemically analyzed and
examined at the microscopic level [2].
Tests Done under Clinical Microscopy:
● Urinalysis - a routine urine test
that reports urine's physical,
chemical, and microscopic
properties. It is the simplest,
safest, and inexpensive way to
evaluate and detect serious
renal diseases that may be
present in the body, such as
urinary tract infections, kidney
disease, and diabetes [4].
NOTES: UTI, Kidney disease, diabetes, renal diseases
● Stool Analysis - a series of tests
done on a stool (feces) sample to
look for parasites and their ova
(eggs) or cysts. It can find
problems with the digestive tract,
including infection, poor nutrient
absorption, or cancer [5].
NOTES: Cancer, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis
PARASITES: shigella, salmonella, yersinia,
campylobacter, e.coli
Utilities Used under Clinical Microscopy:
● Clinical Centrifuge - manual
● Strip Reader - automated
B. Phlebotomy - This section performs the
act of removing blood from a patient
using a needle for the purposes of
laboratory testing as a diagnostic tool [3].
Services Done under Phlebotomy:
● Blood Extraction - A procedure in
which a needle is used to take
blood from a vein, usually for
laboratory testing [6].
NOTES: syringe system, evacuated tube system,
butterfly system (winged-infusion set)
C. Hematology - This section performs
routine and special tests on the
components of whole blood, such as red
blood cells, white blood cells, and
platelets. This section also performs cell
counts, differential counts, and other
microscopic examinations of
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and other body
fluids [2].
Tests Done under Hematology:
● Hemoglobin Test - measures the
levels of hemoglobin in the blood
[7]. A hemoglobin test is often
used to detect anemia, which is
a deficiency of RBC that can
have adverse health effects.
NOTES: anemia
● Hematocrit Test - measures the
proportion of red blood cells in
the blood [8]. Hematocrit is
evaluated using a centrifuge,
which is a machine that spins at
a high rate to cause the contents
of the blood to separate.
NOTES: anemia, dehydration, carbon monoxide
poisoning, bone marrow disease, congenital heart
disease
● Red Blood Cell Count -
measures the number of red
blood cells, also known as
erythrocytes, in the blood [9].
This test can help to diagnose
diseases and conditions such as
anemia, infections, clotting
problems, blood cancers, and
immune system disorders.
NOTES: bone marrow disorder, alport syndrome,
hemolysis
● White Blood Cell Count -
measures two components; the
 total number of white blood cells
(leukocytes) and the differential
count [10]. Knowing the white
blood cell count can help
diagnose infections, conditions
that cause inflammation, allergic
reactions, and cancers of the
blood and lymphatic system.
NOTES: infectious and inflammatory diseases,
leukemia and lymphoma, and bone marrow disorders
● Platelet Count - measures the
number of platelets in the blood
[11]. A platelet count test aims to
assess the blood's ability or
inability to clot.
NOTES: thrombocytopenia, bleeding disorder
● Differential Count - measures the
percentage of each type of white
blood cell (WBC) in the blood
[12]. It also reveals if there are
any abnormal or immature cells.
NOTES: Infection, inflammation, leukemia, or an
immune system disorder
● Complete Blood Count (CBC) -
measures many different parts
and features of the blood,
including red blood cells, white
blood cells, platelets,
hemoglobin, hematocrit, and
mean corpuscular volume [17].
● Cross Matching - detects the
presence of antibodies in the
blood recipient against the
donor's red blood cells [13].
● Coagulation Factor Test - used
to find problems with any of the
clotting factors that may cause
too little or too much blood
clotting [14]. Coagulation factor
tests are also used to monitor
people with a known problem
with clotting factors or who take
blood thinners to lower the risk of
blood clots.
NOTES: Hemophilia, Von Willebrand disease, clotting
factor deficiencies
Utilities Used under Hematology:
● Spectrophotometer - manual
● Hematocrit Centrifuge - manual
● Microscope - manual
● Hematocrit Reader - manual
● Pipette Shaker - manual
● Tally Counter - manual
● Water Bath - manual
● Hematology Analyzer -
automated
● Differential Counter - manual
● Coagulation Machine –
automated
● Calibrated Pipettes – manual
A. Clinical Chemistry - This section is where
patients’ blood and other body fluids are
checked for various chemical
components using state-of-the-art
equipment [2].
Tests Done under Clinical Chemistry:
● Fasting Blood Sugar - measures
the blood sugar after an
overnight fast (not eating for at
least 8 hours). It’s a simple, safe,
and common way to diagnose
prediabetes, diabetes, or
gestational diabetes [16].
NOTES: prediabetes, diabetes or gestational diabetes
● Total Cholesterol - measures the
amount of cholesterol and
triglycerides in the blood [18]. A
cholesterol test can help
determine the risk of the buildup
of fatty deposits (plaques) in the
arteries, leading to narrowed or
blocked arteries throughout the
body (atherosclerosis).
NOTES: atherosclerosis
● Blood Uric Acid - measures the
amount of uric acid in a sample
of blood or urine (pee) [19]. This
test can help determine how well
the body produces and removes
uric acid.
NOTES: gout
● Blood Creatinine - measures the
level of creatinine in the blood
[20]. Measurement of creatinine
in the blood or urine provides
clues to help the doctor
determine how well the kidneys
are working.
NOTES: kidney function
● Blood Urea Nitrogen - measures
the amount of urea nitrogen in
the blood [21]. This test is most
commonly used to evaluate
kidney function.
NOTES: kidney function
 ● Alanine Aminotransferase Test -
measures the amount of alanine
aminotransferase in the blood
[22]. This test is often included in
a liver panel and comprehensive
metabolic panel; healthcare
providers use it to help assess
liver health.
NOTES: liver damage
● Electrolytes (magnesium,
chloride, bicarbonate,
phosphorus, potassium, and
sodium) - measures levels of the
body's main electrolytes,
including magnesium, chloride,
bicarbonate, phosphorus,
potassium, and sodium [23].
● Bilirubin - measures the levels of
bilirubin in the blood [24]. This
test is used to help find the cause
of health conditions like jaundice,
anemia, and liver disease.
NOTES: jaundice, anemia, and liver disease
● Prothrombin Time - measures
the time it takes for a clot to form
in a blood sample [25]. This test
also helps diagnose the cause of
bleeding or clotting disorders.
NOTES: bleeding or clotting disorders
Utilities Used under Clinical Chemistry:
● Spectrophotometer - manual
● Calibrated Pipettes - manual
● Clinical Centrifuge - manual
● Water Bath - manual
● Refrigerator - manual
D. Immunology and Serology - This section
is where patients’ blood samples are
examined for the presence of antibodies
produced against infectious agents that
cause hepatitis, measles, and HIV. This
is also where blood samples are
analyzed to quantify tumor markers and
thyroid hormones [2].
Tests Done under Immunology and
Serology:
● Syphilis Test - used to screen for
and diagnose syphilis [26].
Syphilis is a bacterial infection
that spreads through vaginal,
oral, or anal sexual contact with
someone who has the infection.
● HIV Test - checks a sample of
blood to see whether it is
infected with HIV (human
immunodeficiency virus) [27].
This test uses blood that a
technician takes from the vein
and sends to a laboratory.
● Antistreptolysin O or ASO Titer -
measures antibodies against
streptolysin O, a substance
produced by group A
streptococcus bacteria [28]. This
test helps diagnose
complications resulting from a
strep infection, such as
rheumatic fever or
glomerulonephritis, a form of
kidney disease.
NOTES: streptococcal infection
● C-Reactive Protein or CRP -
measures the level of c-reactive
protein (CRP) in a sample of
blood [29]. This test can show
inflammation in the body and
how much.
● Hepatitis Profile - a group of
blood tests used to detect
current or past infection by
hepatitis A, hepatitis B, or
hepatitis C [30]. This test can
screen blood samples for more
than one kind of hepatitis virus at
the same time.
Utilities Used under Immunology and
Serology:
● Clinical Centrifuge - manual
● Microscope - manual
● MicroPlate / Strip System -
manual
● Bead System - manual
● ELISA Kit and Washer Set -
manual
● Water Bath - manual
E. Microbiology - This section identifies
microorganisms that may be causing
disease (pathogens). The microbiology
department also provides information
regarding appropriate antibiotics to treat
various pathogens [15].
Tests Done under Microbiology:
● Gram Stain - checks for bacteria
at the site of a suspected
infection, such as the throat,
lungs, genitals, or skin wounds
[31]. Gram stains may also be
 used to check for bacteria in
certain body fluids, such as
blood or urine.
● KOH (potassium hydroxide) -
used to diagnose a fungal
infection of the skin [32].
● Acid-Fast Bacilli Stain - used to
determine if a sample of tissue,
blood, or other body substance is
infected with the bacteria that
causes tuberculosis ( TB ) and
other illnesses [32].
NOTES: mycobacterium tuberculosis
● Culture and Sensitivity - used to
find or identify germs (such as
bacteria or a fungus) that can
cause an infection [33]. This test
checks to see what kind of
medicine, such as an antibiotic,
will work best to treat the illness
or infection.
Utilities Used under MIcrobiology:
● Microscope with Oil- immersion
objective - manual
● Staining Rack - manual
● Bunsen Burner - manual
● Isolation Hood - manual
● Incubator - manual
● Drying Oven - manual
● Autoclave - manual
● Refrigerator - manual
● Centrifuge - manual
● Bunsen Burner - manual
● Weighing Scale - manual
● Biosafety cabinet (Class II Type
A with certification) - manual
● Water Bath - manual
● Candle Jar - manual
● Caliper / Ruler Table Lamp -
manual
● Electric/Gas Stove - manual
● Laboratory Thermometer - demands, which may pose problems for
manual
● Calibrated Inoculating Loops -
manual
● Timer - manual
● Colorimeter - manual
● Forceps - manual
F. Anatomical Pathology - This section is
where patient tissues are diagnosed and
where pathology reports are generated.
It is also where autopsies are performed
and reported. This section is directed and
staffed by pathologists, or physicians
specialized in tissue diagnosis, and by
histotechnologists, who process tissues
into microscropic slides for pathologist
interpretation [35].
Tests Done under Anatomical Pathology:
● Surgical Pathology - includes
both the physical exam of the
tissue with the naked eye, as
well as examining processed
tissue under a microscope [36].
● Cytology - involves examining
cells from bodily tissues or fluids
to determine a diagnosis [37].
● Frozen Section - used to rapidly
analyze and diagnose tissue
samples while the patient is still
in the operating room.
● Autopsy - an examination
conducted postmortem that is
used as an investigative tool,
discerning the causes and
natural history of diseases [38].
Utilities Used under Anatomical
Pathology:
● Microtome - manual
● Paraffin Oven - manual
● Cryostat - manual
III. Strengths and Weaknesses of the Laboratory
as Perceived by the Healthcare Worker
A. Strengths - Cagayan Valley Medical
Center can offer a wide range of tests. It
can run up to 300 tests within a day. It is
deemed one of the best laboratories for
experience and offers professional
growth.
B. Weaknesses - Cagayan Valley Medical
Center experiences a shortage of staff -
this hampers the ability of the clinical
laboratory to meet patient testing
patient health and welfare. There is also
inequality among staff, which impedes a
good relationship between the higher
authorities of the clinical laboratory.
Additional Infos:
- Got her license on 2015
- Graduated from Saint Paul University
Philippines
- Currently living at Apple Street, Pengue Ruyu,
Tuguegarao City
- Favorite section sa laboratory: Hematology
- Common tests done: Depends on patients, CPD
patients or cancer patients. In everyday basis,
CPD patients and cancer patients request for
blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, complete blood
count, and electrolytes
- Personal observation sa institution: CVMC is
one of the best laboratories for experience if you
want to go abroad or you want to widen your
horizon. Professional growth because CVMC
offer trainings at nahohone ang skills.
- Suggestions to improve The weaknesses:
additional staff, magkaroon ng magandang
relationship with higher bosses para walang
partition sa isang institution, Hindi maiiwasan
yung merong mas mataas at mas mababa.
Sana magkaroon ng equality among the staff.
Sa isang institution dapat iisa kayo; may
camaraderie. Dapat magbuild ng camaraderie
para maging happy workplace siya - yung you
can say na kayang magtulungan kahit ang toxic
ng workplace. Have good camaraderie with
workmates kahit gaano kapagod.
- As a tertiary, we do offer almost all the tests.
Sa buong Cagayan Valley, we almost cater
everything under the [inaudible] do. Sobrang
maluwang ang coverage ng laboratory na kaya
nating iprocess yung mga tests within a day;
umaabot kami ng 300+ tests.