Livro - Diagnostic Skills in Clinical Laboratory Science

Presents case studies for you to solve. This book contains 26 clinical cases (from 24 "patients") and accompanying laboratory data from which a clinical diagnosis can be deduced. The accompanying CD-ROM contains the actual laboratory information for each case. Each case is intended to be evaluated by first reading the patient complaints and history, then querying the CD-ROM database for laboratory data, compiling the relevant data on worksheets included in the book, and formulating a diagnosis with help from leading questions scattered throughout the case. Answers to each of the questions and final discussion of the case are included in a separate appendix (B). Another appendix (A) contains surprisingly comprehensive references for antigen-antibody characteristics (blood banking), lab values (hematology, chemistry), and specimen collection tips for key laboratory tests. The CD-ROM material is quite interesting, often having submenus in which various important laboratory findings can be viewed (e.g., peripheral smear, microbiology culture plate, wet mount of fungal growth, etc.). The resolution of some of the photomicrographs was not the best (recommended 1028 x 768 display resolution) and might have been better served with conventional printed photomicrographs. Finally, although initially entertaining, the static information presented on the CD-ROM offers little advantage over the same information in printed form. Also, the LIS screen depicted in the CD-ROM does not resemble any of the LIS systems. The CD-ROM itself requires use of a computer to complete the exercises, whereas a printed form would allow much greater flexibility (e.g., review at the park, the beach, etc.).