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Usually, before having surgery, you are asked to do a series of tests. The test is based on age, health condition, and the type of surgery to be performed. Among the many tests, blood-related tests are the most frequently performed. Here are the various types of complete blood counts that you will have before surgery.
1. Complete blood count
A complete blood count will generally involve a blood count test to find out the types and counts of various blood cells, as well as whether they are all within normal ranges. The medical personnel who do this will draw blood from your veins, collect it in a special tube, then take it to a laboratory for testing.
There are several components that are tested in a complete blood count test, namely:
- red blood cell count (RBC)
- white blood cell count (WBC)
- hematocrit (percentage of blood in red blood cells)
- total hemoglobin (a protein in red blood cells that binds oxygen)
- platelets
- the average size of red blood cells (MCV)
- the amount of hemoglobin in each red blood cell (MCH)
- the amount of hemoglobin relative to the size of the cells in each red blood cell (MCHC)
2.Blood chemistry test (Chem 7)
Before surgery, you will also need to undergo a complete blood count that relates to the levels of certain components in the blood. These components are:
- blood urea nitrogen (BUN) to assess kidney function
- carbon dioxide in the blood
- blood creatinine (Cr) to detect kidney disorders and changes in blood pressure
- blood glucose to determine blood sugar levels
- serum chloride (Cl) to find out your hydration status (are you dehydrated or overhydrated)
- serum potassium (K) to determine heart conditions
- serum sodium (Na) to determine kidney function, hydration status, and other effects related to what you consume
3. Other blood tests
If there are certain medical conditions or health problems, you need to check other components in the blood to determine the function of the body's organs. Therefore, a complete blood count before surgery can also involve a number of other tests, such as:
- blood coagulation (clotting) test
- liver enzyme test
- blood gas analysis in a patient on a ventilator
- cardiac muscle enzyme test
- procalcitonin test to determine whether the body has sepsis
Blood tests performed properly before surgery will assist medical personnel in carrying out the proper surgical procedures.
