Basics

Question 1

Define pathology

Answer 1

Medical speciality that determines the cause and nature of diseases by examining and testing body tissues and fluids

Question 2

Define clinical chemistry

Answer 2

Measurement of chemical substances such as metabolic products, proteins and drugs in blood and other specimens

Question 3

Define haematology

Answer 3

Analysis of various cell types in blood,
measurements of blood clotting or coagulation,
assessment of bone marrow specimens and blood banking

Question 4

Define microbiology and serology

Answer 4

Evaluation of infectious diseases by microscopy, culture and sensitivity to antibiotics
Measurement of antibodies produced in response to infections or immunisations.

Question 5

Define immunology

Answer 5

Assessment of antibody and cellular components of immune system.
Evaluating many autoimmune diseases.

Question 6

Define histopathology/anatomical pathology

Answer 6

Analysis of tissue to detect pathological changes that may indicate disease such as cancer, using light or electron microscopy

Question 7

Define Cytology

Answer 7

The study of cells that are shed from tissue eg. Pap smear, which is used in the early detection of cancer of the cervix

Question 8

Variables that can affect reference range

Answer 8

Age
Gender
Genetics eg Race
Pregnancy
Fasting

Question 9

Age variable affect on reference ranges

Answer 9

Ranges differ in paediatric, adult and elderly populations

Question 10

Gender variable affect on reference ranges

Answer 10

Differences due to muscle mass and hormone secretion

Question 11

Genetics variable affect on reference ranges

Answer 11

Instances of specific genetic diseases and genetic variation

Question 12

Pregnancy variable affect on reference ranges

Answer 12

Endocrine, haematological, and biochemical changes occur