About preoperative tests

Information for the public

Examples of the tests you might be offered are described below.

Full blood count: a blood sample is taken to count different types of blood cells.

Kidney function test: a blood test that checks the salts in the blood and how well the kidneys are working.

Pregnancy test: a urine sample is tested to see if a woman is pregnant.

Blood clotting test: also called a 'haemostasis' test, a blood sample is tested to see how well the blood clots.

Electrocardiography (ECG): a test that uses stickers placed on your skin to produce a trace showing how well the heart is working.

Echocardiography ('echo'): this uses an ultrasound scan to check how well the heart is working.

Lung function tests: tests to check how well the lungs are working, for example, a test called spirometry measures how well you can breathe in and out.

Blood gas tests: a blood sample is taken from the wrist and measured for levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide and the acidity of the blood.

HbA1c (blood sugar) test: a blood sample is tested to give information about the long‑term control of blood sugar.

Urine test: a urine sample is tested for urinary tract infections or to check kidney function.

Sickle cell test: a blood sample is tested for a condition called sickle cell anaemia.