Ch 1 - Laboratory Basics

Question 1

CLSI

Answer 1

• Clinical Lab Standard Institute

- Sets standards for medical labs (thermometers, glassware, etc.)

Question 2

CLRW

Answer 2

• Clinical Laboratory Reagent Water
• The water has to be treated via reverse osmosis
  # Filter bacteria, metals, minerals, etc.

Question 3

Varying grades of purity for chemicals (3)

Answer 3

1. Analytical or reagent grade
2. Ultrapure
3. Pharmaceutical

Question 4

Main purpose: Analytical or reagent grade chemicals

Answer 4

For medical tests

Question 5

Main purpose: Ultrapure chemicals

Answer 5

For nanograde purity

Question 6

Main purpose: Pharmaceutical chemicals

Answer 6

Not injurious to health

Question 7

Glassware types (2)

Answer 7

1. Borosilicate

2. Low actinate

Question 8

Borosilicate glassware

Answer 8

• Most common
• Can handle:
  # High temperatures
  # Corrosives

Question 9

Low actinate glassware

Answer 9

• Amber/red color –LOW light

- Can also handle high temperatures

Question 10

Types of plastics (5)

Answer 10

1. Polypropylene
2. Polyethylene
3. Polycarbonate
4. Polystyrene
5. Teflon

Question 11

Polypropylene

Answer 11

• Chemically resistant

- Autoclavable

Question 12

Polyethylene

Answer 12

• Widely used
• Examples:
  # Test tubes
  # Disposable items
  # Transfer pipettes, etc.

Question 13

Polycarbonate

Answer 13

• Strong
• Can handle high temperatures (100 – 160 degrees C)
• Autoclavable only for a short while
  # Polypropylene is more preferable
• Examples:
  # Graduated cylinders,
  # Erlenmeyer flasks, etc.

Question 14

Polystyrene

Answer 14

• Rigid plastic
• Example:
  # Kova tubes

Question 15

Teflon

Answer 15

• Chemically resistant
• Examples:
  # Tubing
  # Cap liners

Question 16

Pipettes (2 main types)

Answer 16

1. Manual pipettes

2. Semi-automatic/automatic micropipettes

Question 17

Manual pipettes

Answer 17

• Glass or disposable plastic

- 2 types

Question 18

2 types of manual pipettes

Answer 18

1. Volumetric

2. Serological/Serologic

Question 19

Volumetric pipettes

Answer 19

- Use for QC
     # Most accurate
- Class A glassware
- Volumetric = Void of lines
     # Typical measurements:
     # 1 mL, 2 mL, 3 mL, 5 mL, 10 mL, 20 mL
- Calibrated 
     # DO NOT blow remaining drop
- TD pipette
     # TD = To Deliver

Question 20

Serological pipettes

Answer 20

• Calibrated to tip
• Measure various amounts
• DO blow remaining drop
  # Note that the lines mark all the way to the tip

Question 21

Semi-automatic/automatic micropipettes

Answer 21

• Between 1 μL - 1000 μL
  # 1000 μL = 1 mL
• Usually 20 μL
• How it works: air displacement

Question 22

Pipette calibration, according to CLSI

Answer 22

• must calibrate periodically
• either quarterly or semi-annually
• use water to weigh (cheapest)

Question 23

Balances (2 types)

Answer 23

1. Unequal arm balance

2. Electronic balance

Question 24

Where is the unequal arm balance usually used?

Answer 24

Blood bank

Question 25

RCF

Answer 25

• Relative Centrifugal Force

RCF = (0.00001) x (radius in cm) x (RPM)^2

Question 26

Types of centrifuges (4)

Answer 26

1. Fixed angle
2. Swinging bucket
3. Ultracentrifuge
4. Refrigerated

Question 27

Where is the swinging bucket centrifuge usually used?

Answer 27

Chemistry

Question 28

What kind of centrifugal force is used in the ultracentrifuge?

Answer 28

Very high RCF

Question 29

Refrigerated centrifuges

Answer 29

• Can be fixed angle, swinging bucket, or ultracentrifuge

- Must check temperature in addition

Question 30

Verifies and records speed

Answer 30

Tachometer

Question 31

NIST

Answer 31

National Institute for Science Technology

Question 32

Thermometers

Answer 32

• Certified by NIST with very expensive certificate
• Example uses:
  # Room temperature
  # Water bath
  # Refrigerator
  # Freezer

Question 33

SI Units

Answer 33

• Established 1960
• substance per concentration
  # mmol/L
  # mg/dL