The Packed Cell Volume (PCV) Test 1. Objective: This is one of the oldest tests done in medical practice. The objective of this test was to determine the percentage of red blood cells (RBCs) in whole blood. It also helped to assess the blood’s capacity to carry oxygen. ________________________________________ 2. Principle: The test was based on the principle that when blood was centrifuged, the red blood cells settled at the bottom of the tube, forming a packed column. The ratio of the packed RBC column to the total blood column gave the packed cell volume (PCV), expressed as a percentage. ________________________________________ 3. Materials: • Microhematocrit capillary tubes • Microhematocrit centrifuge • Plasticine or sealing clay • Microhematocrit reader • Lancet • Alcohol swab • Cotton ________________________________________ 4. Procedure (Microhematocrit Method): 1. The fingertip was cleaned with an alcohol swab and pricked with a sterile lancet. 2. Blood was collected into ...
FIVE THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE CONSUMING MEDICINES
1.THE RIGHT MEDICATION: It is said that every problem has a solution and the key to every problem is decoding the appropriate solution, in the same way, almost every medical condition or illness has a medication that can atleast help manage it. It Should be ensured by the caregiver (and patient as well) that the right medications are dispensed and used effectively for successful therapy.
3.THE RIGHT DOSE:As you might have known already,drugs can be life-saving as well as poisonous depending on the right dose. If a drug of say,5mg is meant to be taken twice a day for optimal performance, but due to errors or intentional abuse the dosage is increased or reduced as the patient deems it fit, the end result could be over-dosage(organ damage or death if fatal) and/or under effectiveness and persistence of symptoms after
3.THE RIGHT PATIENT: It's not unheard of,especially in places like Africa, that people share drugs as far as the symptoms you're suffering from is manifest in another.
This is a wrong practice and should be discouraged!
Your fever might be a symptom of MALARIA, while my fever might be as a result of the presence of typhoid in my system. This means that giving me the same drugs you're taking for malarial fever would be innefective in treating my typhoid fever.
It's good practice to know if you're supposed to be taking a medication, by simply ASKING YOUR PHARMACIST instead of getting drugs randomly and consuming them.
4.THE RIGHT ROUTE: There are so many routes of administration (ROA) of drugs into the body (intravenous, oral, intramuscular e.t.c) as well as many dosage forms of drugs (Aerosols, creams,tablets e.t.c). Speak to your doctor or caregiver if you are confused as to how to take any of your drugs and he'll gladly direct you. Don't assume things.
Don't swallow pessaries or instill eye drops in the ear. ASK QUESTIONS
5.THE RIGHT TIME: In a bid to ensure effectiveness as well as prevent toxicity, the time interval you should take your drug doses have been carefully studied and established by professionals. This is the reason why your pharmacist tells you things like "take 2 tablets of this drug in the morning and then 2 in the evening after meals". The timing of doses is meant to allow enough therapeutic amounts of the drug in your system to fight off invading pathogens as well as preventing toxicity and organ damage.
REMEMBER, before you pop that pill or squeeze open that bottle:
Read the label every time you take a dose to make sure you have the right drug and that you are following the instructions.
Turn on the lights to take your medications. If you can't see what you're taking, you may take the wrong thing.
Don't store medications in the bathroom medicine cabinet or in direct sunlight.
ASK THE PHARMACIST if you have questions concerning any drug combinations or dosage regimen.
©️ PUBLIC HEALTH ORBITAL
Amazing work
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