Chemistry Flashcards
Following overnight fasting, hypoglycemia in adults is defined as a glucose of:
a. ≤70 mg/dL
b. ≤60 mg/dL
c. ≤55 mg/dL
d. ≤45 mg/dL
d. ≤45 mg/dL (≤2.5 mmol/L)
The following results are from a 21-year-old patient with a back injury who appears otherwise healthy:
whole blood glucose: 77 mg/dL (4.2 mmol/L)
serum glucose: 88 mg/dL (4.8 mmol/L)
CSF glucose: 56 mg/dL (3.1 mmol/L)
The best interpretation of these results is that:
a. the whole blood and serum values are expected but the CSF value is elevated
b. the whole blood glucose value should be higher than the serum value
c. all values are consistent with a normal healthy individual
d. the serum and whole blood values should be identical
c. all values are consistent with a normal healthy individual
The preparation of a patient for standard glucose tolerance testing should include:
a. a high carbohydrate diet for 3 days
b. a low carbohydrate diet for 3 days
c. fasting for 48 hours prior to testing
d. bed rest for 3 days
a. a high carbohydrage diet for 3 days
If a fasting glucose was 90 mg/dL, which of the following 2-hour-postprandial glucose results would most closely represent normal glucose metabolism?
a. 55 mg/dL
b. 100 mg/dL
c. 180 mg/dL
d. 260 mg/dL
b. 100 mg/dL (5.5 mmol/L)
A healthy person with a blood glucose of 80 mg/dL (4.4 mmol/L) would have a simultaneously determined CSF glucose value of:
a. 25 mg/dL
b. 50 mg/dL
c. 100 mg/dL
d. 150 mg/dL
b. 50 mg/dL (2.3 mmol/L)
A 25-year-old man became nauseated and vomited 90 minutes after receiving a standard 75 g carbohydrate dose for an oral glucose tolerance test. The best course of action is to:
a. give the patient a glass of orange juice and continue the test
b. start the test over immediately with a 50 g carbohydrate dose
c. draw blood for glucose and discontinue test
d. place the patient in a recumbent position, reassure him and continue the test
c. draw blood for glucose and discontinue test
CSF for glucose assay should be:
a. refrigerated
b. analyzed immediately
c. heated to 56ºC
d. stored at room temperature after centrifugation
b. analyzed immediately
Which of the following 2 hour postprandial glucose values demonstrates unequivocal hyperglycemia diagnostic for diabetes mellitus?
a. 160 mg/dL (8.8 mmol/L)
b. 170 mg/dL (9.4 mmol/L)
c. 180 mg/dL (9.9 mmol/L)
d. 200 mg/dL (11.0 mmol/L)
d. 200 mg/dL (11.0 mmol/L)
Serum levels that define hypoglycemia in pre-term or low birth weight infants are:
a. the same as adults
b. lower than adults
c. the same as a normal full-term infant
d. higher than a normal full-term infant
b. lower than adults
A 45-year-old woman has a fasting serum glucose concetration of 95 mg/dL (5.2 mmol/L) and a 2-hour-postprandial glucose concentration of 105 mg/dL (5.8 mmol/L). The statement which best describes this patient’s fasting serum glucose concentration is:
a. normal; reflecting glycogen breakdown by the liver
b. normal; reflecting glycogen breakdown by skeletal muscle
c. abnormal; indicating diabetes mellitus
d. abnormal; indicating hypoglycemia
a. normal; reflecting glycogen breakdown by the liver
Pregnant women with symptoms of thirst, frequent urination or unexplained weight loss should have which of the following tests performed?
a. tolbutamide test
b. lactose tolerance test
c. epinephrine tolerance test
d. glucose tolerance test
d. glucose tolerance test
In the fasting state, the arterial and capillary blood glucose concentration varies from the venous glucose concentration by approximately how many mg/dL (mmol/L)?
a. 1 mg/dL
b. 5 mg/dL
c. 10 mg/dL
d. 15 mg/dL
b. 5 mg/dL
The conversion of glucose or other hexoses into lactate or pyruvate is called:
a. glycogenesis
b. glycogenolysis
c. gluconeogenesis
d. glycolysis
d. glycolysis
Which one of the following values obtained during a GTT are diagnostic of diabetes mellitus?
a. 2-hour specimen = 150 mg/dL
b. fasting plasma glucose = 126 mg/dL
c. fasting plasma glucose = 110 mg/dL
d. 2-hour specimen = 180 mg/dL
b. fasting plasma glucose = 126 mg/dL (6.9 mmol/L)
The glycated hemoglobin value represents the integrated values of glucose concentration during the preceding:
a. 1-3 weeks
b. 4-5 weeks
c. 6-8 weeks
d. 16-20 weeks
c. 6-8 weeks
Monitoring long-term glucose control in patients with adult onset diabetes mellitus can best be accompanied by measuring:
a. weekly fasting 7 am serum glucose
b. GTT
c. 2-hour postprandial serum glucose
d. hemoglobin A1c
d. hemoglobin A1c
A patient with Type I, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus has the follwoing results:
fasting blood glucose increased
hemoglobin A1c increased
fructosamine normal
After reviewing these test results, the technologist concluded that the patient is in a:
a. “steady state” of metabolic control
b. state of flux, progressively worsening metabolic control
c. improving state of metabolic control as indicated by fructosamine
d. state of flux as indicated by the fasting glucose level
c. improving state of metabolic control as indicated by fructosamine
Total glycosylated hemoglobin levels in a hemolysate reflect the:
a. average blood glucose levels of the past 2-3 months
b. average blood glucose levels for the past week
c. blood glucose level at the time the sample is drawn
d. hemoglobin A1c level at the time the sample is drawn
a. average blood glucose levels of the past 2-3 months
Which of the following hemoglobins has glucose-6-phosphate on the amino-terminal valine of the beta chain?
a. S
b. C
c. A2
d. A1c
d. A1c
A patient with hemolytic anemia will:
a. show a decrease in glycated Hgb value
b. show an increase in glycated Hgb value
c. show little or no change in glycated Hgb value
d. demonstrate an elevated Hgb A1
a. show a decrease in glycated Hgb value
In using ion-exchange chromatophraphic methods, falsely increased levels of Hgb-A1c might be demonstrated by the presence of:
a. IDA
b. PA
c. thalassemias
d. Hgb S
d. Hgb S
An increase in serum acetone is indicative of a defect in the metabolism of:
a. carbohydrates
b. fat
c. urea nitrogen
d. uric acid
a. carbohydrates
An infant with diarrhea is being evaluated for a carbohydrate intolerance. His stool yields a positive copper reduction test and a pH of 5.0. It should be concluded that:
a. futher tests are indicated
b. results are inconsistent–repeat both tests
c. the diarrhea is not due to carbohydrate intolerance
d. the tests provided no useful information
a. futher tests are indicated
Blood samples were collected at the beginning of an excercise class and after thirty minutes of aerobic activity. Which of the following would be most consistent with the post-exercise sample?
a. normal lactic acid, low pyruvate
b. low lactic acid, elevated pyruvate
c. elevated lactic acid, low pyruvate
d. elevated lactic acid, elevated pyruvate
d. elevated lactic acid, elevated pyruvate
What is the best method to diagnose lactase deficiency?
a. H2 breath test
b. plasma aldolase level
c. LDH level
d. D-xylose test
a. H2 breath test
The expected blood gas results for a patient in chronic renal failure would match the pattern of:
a. metabolic acidosis
b. respiratory acidosis
c. metabolic alkalosis
d. respiratory alkalosis
a. metabolic acidosis
Sever diarrhea causes:
a. metabolic acidosis
b. metabolic alkalosis
c. respiratory acidosis
d. respiratory alkalosis
a. metabolic acidosis
The following blood gas results were obtained:
pH 7.18; pO2: 86 mmHg; pCO2: 60 mmHg; O2 sat: 92%; HCO3-: 7921 mEq/L (21 mmol/L); TCO2: 23 mEq/L (23 mmol/L); base excess: -8.0 mEq/L (-8.0 mmol/L)
The patient’s results are compatible with which of the following?
a. fever
b. uremia
c. emphysema
d. dehydration
c. emphysema
Factors that contribute to a PCO2 electrode requiring 60-120 seconds to reach equilibrium include the:
a. diffusion characteristics of the membrane
b. actual blood PO2
c. type of calibrating standard
d. potential of the polarizing mercury cell
a. diffusion characteristics of the membrane
An emphysema patient suffering from fluid accumulation in the alveolar spaces is likely to be in what metabolic state?
a. respiratory acidosis
b. respiratory alkalosis
c. metabolic acidosis
d. metabolic alkalosis
a. respiratory acidosis
At blood pH 7.40, what is the ratio of bicarbonate to carbonic acid?
a. 15:1
b. 20:1
c. 25:1
d. 30:1
b. 20:1
The reference range for the pH of arterial blood measured at 37ºC is:
a. 7.28-7.34
b. 7.33-7.37
c. 7.35-7.45
d. 7.45-7.50
c. 7.35-7.45
A 68-year-old man arrives in the emergency room with a glucose level of 722 mg/dL (39.7 mmol/L) and serum acetone of 4+ undiluted. An arterial blood gas from this patient is likely to be:
a. low pH
b. high pH
c. low PO2
d. high PO2
a. low pH
A patient is admitted to the emergency room in a state of metabolic alkalosis. Which of the following would be consistent with this diagnosis?
a. high TCO2, increased HCO3
b. low TCO2, increased HCO3
c. high TCO2, decreased H2CO3
d. low TCO2, decreased H2CO3
a. high TCO2, increased HCO3
A person suspected of having metabolic alkalosis would have which of the following laboratory findings?
a. CO2 content and PCO2 elevated, pH decreased
b. CO2 content decreased and pH elevated
c. CO2 content, PCO2 and pH decreased
d. CO2 content and pH elevated
d. CO2 content and pH elevated
Metabolic acidosis is described as a(n):
a. increase in CO2 content and PCO2 with a decreased pH
b. decrease in CO2 content with an increased pH
c. increase in CO2 with an increased pH
d. decrease in CO2 content and PCO2 with a decreased pH
d. decrease in CO2 content and PCO2 with a decreased pH
Respiratory acidosis is decribed as a(n):
a. increase in CO2 content and PCO2 with a decreased pH
b. decrease in CO2 content with an increased pH
c. increase CO2 content with an increased pH
d. decrease in CO2 content and PCO2 with a decreased pH
a. increase in CO2 content and PCO2 with a decreased pH
A common cause of respiratory alkalosis is:
a. vomiting
b. starvation
c. asthma
d. hyperventilation
d. hyperventilation
Acidosis and alkalosis are best defined as fluctuations in blood pH and CO2 content due to changes in:
a. Bohr effect
b. O2 content
c. bicarbonate buffer
d. carbonic anhydrase
c. bicarbonate buffer
A blood gas sample was sent to the lab on ice, and a bubble was present in the syringe. The blood had been exposed to room air for at least 30 minutes. The following change in blood gases will occur:
a. CO2 content increased/PCO2 decreased
b. CO2 content and PO2 increased/pH increased
c. CO2 content and PCO2 decreased/pH decreased
d. PO2 increased/HCO3 decreased
d. PO2 increased/HCO3 decreased
Sodium: 136 mEq/L
Potassium: 4.4 mEq/L
Chloride: 92 mEq/L
Bicarbonate: 40 mEq/L
pH: 7.32
PCO2: 79 mmHg
These results are most compatible with:
a. respiratory alkalosis
b. respiratory acidosis
c. metabolic alkalosis
d. metabolic acidosis
b. respiratory acidosis
Select the test which evaluates renal tubular function:
a. IVP
b. creatinine clearance
c. osmolarity
d. microscopic urinalysis
c. osmolarity
Sodium: 140 mEq/L
Potassium: 4.0 mEq/L
Glucose: 95 mg/dL
BUN: 10 mg/dL
Which osmolality is consistent with these results?
a. 188
b. 204
c. 270
d. 390
c. 270
The degree to which the kidney concentrates the glomerular filtrate can be determined by:
a. urine creatine
b. serum creatinine
c. creatinine clearance
d. urine to serum osmolality ratio
d. urine to serum osmolality ratio
Osmolal gap is the difference between:
a. the ideal and real osmolality values
b. calculated and measured osmolality values
c. plasma and water osmolality values
d. molality and molarity at 4ºC
b. calculated and measured osmolality values
The most important buffer pair in plasma is the:
a. phosphate/biphosphate pair
b. hemoglobin/imidazole pair
c. bicarbonate/carbonic acid pair
d. sulfate/bisulfate pair
c. bicarbonate/carbonic acid pair
Quantitation of Na+ and K+ by ion-selective electrode is the standard method because:
a. dilution is required for flame photometry
b. there is no lipoprotein interference
c. of advances in electrochemistry
d. of the absence of an internal standard
c. of advances in electrochemistry
What battery of tests is most useful in evaluating an anion gap of 22 mEq/L (22 mmol/L)?
a. Ca++, Mg++, PO-4 and pH
b. BUN, creatinine, salicylate and methanol
c. AST, ALT, LD and amylase
d. glucose, CK, myglobin and cryoglobulin
b. BUN, creatinine, salicylate and methanol
A patient with myeloproliferative disorder has the following values: Hgb: 13 g/dL; Hct: 38%; WBC: 30*103/µL; platelets: 1000*103/µL; serum Na+: 140 mEq/L; serum K+: 7 mEq/L
The serum K+ should be confirmed by:
a. repeat testing of the original serum
b. testing freshly drawn serum
c. testing heparinized plasma
d. atomic absorption spectrometry
c. testing heparinized plasma
Most of the carbon dioxide present in blood is in the form of:
a. dissolved CO2
b. carbonate
c. bicarbonate ion
d. carbonic acid
c. bicarbonate ion
Serum “anion gap” is increased in patients with:
a. renal tubular acidosis
b. diabetic alkalosis
c. metabolic acidosis due to diarrhea
d. lactic acidosis
d. lactic acidosis
The anion gap is useful for quality control of laboratory results for:
a. amino acids and proteins
b. blood gas analyses
c. sodium, potassium, chloride, and total CO2
d. calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium
c. sodium, potassium, chloride, and total CO2
The buffering capacity of blood is maintained by a reversible exchange process between bicarbonate and:
a. sodium
b. potassium
c. calcium
d. chloride
d. chloride
In respiratory acidosis, a compensatory mechanism is the increase in:
a. respiration rate
b. ammonia formation
c. blood PCO2
d. plasma bicarbonate concentration
d. plasma bicarbonate concentration
Which of the following electrolytes is the chief plasma cation whose main function is maintaining osmotic pressure:
a. chloride
b. calcium
c. potassium
d. sodium
d. sodium
A potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L (6.8 mmol/L) is obtained. Before reporting the results, the first step the technologist should take is to:
a. check the serum for hemolysis
b. rerun the test
c. check the age of the patient
d. do nothing, simply report out the result
a. check the serum for hemolysis
The solute that contributes the most to the total serum osmolality is:
a. glucose
b. sodium
c. chloride
d. urea
b. sodium
A sweat chloride result of 55 mEq/L and a sweat sodium of 52 mEq/L were obtained on a patient who has a history of respiratory problems. The best interpretation of these results is:
a. normal
b. normal sodium and an abnormal chloride, test should be repeated
c. abnormal results
d. borderline results, the test should be repeated
d. borderline results, the test should be repeated
Which of the following is true about direct ion selective electrodes for electrolytes?
a. whole blood specimens are acceptable
b. elevated lipids cause falsely decreased results
c. elevated proteins cause falsely decreased results
d. elevated platelets cause falsely increased results
a. whole blood specimens are acceptable
Sodium determination by indirect ion selective electrode is falsely decreased by:
a. elevated chloride levels
b. elevated lipid levels
c. decreased protein levels
d. decreased albumin levels
b. elevated lipid levels
A physician requested that electrolytes on a multiple myeloma patient specimen be run by direct ISE and not indirect ISE because:
a. excess protein binds Na in indirect ISE
b. Na is falsely increased by indirect ISE
c. Na is falsely decreased by indirect ISE
d. excess protein reacts with diluent in indirect ISE
c. Na is falsely decreased by indirect ISE
Which percentage of total serum calcium is nondiffusible protein bound?
a. 80-90%
b. 51-60%
c. 40-50%
d. 10-30%
c. 40-50%
Calcium concentration in the serum is regulated by:
a. insulin
b. parathyroid hormone
c. thyroxine
d. vitamin C
b. parathyroid hormone
The regulation of calcium and phosphorous metabolism is accomplished by which of the following glands?
a. thyroid
b. parathyroid
c. adrenal glands
d. pituitary
b. parathyroid
A patient has the following test results:
increased serum calcium levels
decreased serum phosphate levels
increased levels of parathyroid hormone
This patient most likely has:
a. hyperparathyroidism
b. hypoparathyroidism
c. nephrosis
d. steatorrhea
a. hyperparathyroidism
A hospitalized patient is experiencing increased neuromuscular irritability (tetany). Which of the following tests should be ordered immediately?
a. calcium
b. phosphate
c. BUN
d. glucose
a. calcium
Which of the following is most likely to be ordered in addtion to serum calcium to determine the cause of tetany?
a. magnesium
b. phosphate
c. sodium
d. vitamin D
a. magnesium
A reciprocal relationship exists between:
a. sodium and potassium
b. calcium and phosphate
c. chloride and CO2
d. calcium and magnesium
b. calcium and phosphate
Fasting serum phosphate concentration is controlled primarily by the:
a. pancreas
b. skeleton
c. parathyroid glands
d. small intestines
c. parathyroid glands