Clin chem quiz 1 Flashcards
Clinical chemistry,also known as
Biochemistry or Medical biochemistry
is a branch of laboratory medicine that focuses on the _________________ for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
Analysis of body fluids
Importance of Clinical Chemistry
Diagnosis of diseases
Monitoring Disease progression
and treatment
Screening
Prognosis
Key Components of Clinical Chemistry
Specimen Collection and Handling
Analytical Techniques
Quality Control and Assurance
Proper collection, handling, and storage of
specimens (blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, etc.) are critical to ensure accurate test results.
Specimen Collection and Handling
Separates proteins based on their size and charge, useful in
diagnosing multiple myeloma.
Electrophoresis
Used to measure the
concentration of substances by assessing
light absorption at specific wavelengths.
Spectrophotometry
Separates complex
mixtures, essential for drug testing and
toxicology.
Chromatography
Detect specific proteins
or hormones using antigen-antibody reactions, commonly used for hormone levels and infectious disease markers.
Immunoassays
Provides precise molecular information, useful in identifying and quantifying complex compounds.
This includes regular calibration of instruments, use of control samples, and participation in proficiency testing programs.
Mass spectrometry
Common Tests in Clinical Chemistry
Electrolyte panel
Liver function tests
Renal function test
Lipid panel
Cardiac marker
Glucose testing
Hormone test
Tumor markers
Measures levels of electrolytes like sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate, critical for diagnosing and managing dehydration, kidney disease, and acid-base disorders.
Electrolyte panel
Include tests for enzymes (ALT, AST), bilirubin, and albumin, helping diagnose liver diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis.
Liver function tests
Include creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and glomerular filtration rate (GFR), used to assess kidney function.
Renal function test
Measures cholesterol levels (total, LDL, HDL) and triglycerides, important for assessing cardiovascular disease risk.
Lipid panel
Include troponins, CK-MB, and myoglobin, essential for diagnosing and managing myocardial infarction.
Cardiac marker
Includes fasting glucose, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and HbA1c, crucial for diagnosing and managing
diabetes.
Glucose testing
Measure levels of
hormones such as thyroid hormones (T3, T4, TSH), reproductive hormones (estrogen, testosterone), and adrenal hormones (cortisol).
Hormone test
Include PSA (prostate-specific antigen), CA-125, and CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen), used in cancer diagnosis and monitoring.
Tumor markers
The field is rapidly advancing with the integration of ___________, ________, and ____________________, paving the way for personalized medicine.
Genimics, proteomics and metabolics
Key Roles and Responsibilities
Specimen collection and handling
Performing analytical test
Quality control and assurance
Data analysis and interpreta
Instrument maintenance and trouble shooting
Ensuring laboratory safety
Professional development and education
Regulating compliance
MTs/MLSs are responsible for collecting, labeling, and processing biological specimens such as blood, urine, and other bodily fluids. Proper collection and handling are critical to ensure the integrity and accuracy of
test results.
o They must adhere to standard
operating procedures (SOPs) and maintain strict quality control to prevent contamination and degradation of samples.
Specimen collection and handling
They conduct a wide range of biochemical tests to measure glucose, cholesterol, electrolytes, enzymes, hormones, and other analytes. These tests are essential for diagnosing diseases like diabetes, liver disease, kidney disorders, and
hormonal imbalances.
o They use sophisticated laboratory
instruments and techniques such as spectrophotometry, chromatography, electrophoresis, and immunoassays.
Performing analytical test
MTs/MLSs implement and monitor quality control procedures to ensure the accuracy and reliability of test results.
Quality control and assurance
They analyze test results and correlate them with clinical conditions. While pathologists and clinicians make final diagnoses, MTs/MLSs provide essential preliminary interpretations and flag abnormal results for further
review.
o They must stay updated on reference
ranges and clinical significance of
various test parameters.
Data analysis and interpreta
MTs/MLSs are responsible for the routine maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting of laboratory instruments. They ensure that all equipment is functioning correctly and efficiently, minimizing downtime and ensuring continuous operation.
o They also manage inventory and order necessary reagents and supplies.
Instrument maintenance and trouble shooting
They follow strict safety protocols to protect themselves and their colleagues from potential hazards such as chemical exposure, biological
risks, and physical injuries.
o They are trained in handling hazardous
materials, waste disposal, and
responding to emergencies.
Ensuring laboratory safety
Continuous professional development is essential for MTs/MLSs. They attend workshops, conferences, and training sessions to keep abreast of advancements in clinical chemistry and laboratory
medicine.
o They may also be involved in teaching
and mentoring students, interns, and new staff, sharing their expertise and promoting best practices in the laboratory.
Professional development and education
MTs/MLSs ensure that the laboratory complies with all regulatory requirements set by health authorities and accreditation bodies such as the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), College of American Pathologists (CAP), and
Joint Commission.
o They prepare for and participate in
inspections and audits, maintaining documentation and ensuring that the laboratory meets all standards.
Regulating compliance
Impact on Patient Care
Accurate and timely diagnosis
Monitoring disease progression
Improving patient outcomes
Cost effective healthcare
An enzyme found
mainly in the liver; elevated levels can
indicate liver damage.
Alanine aminotransferase
A protein produced by the
liver, essential for maintaining osmotic pressure and transporting substances in the blood.
Albumin
An enzyme related to the bile ducts; high levels may indicate liver disease or bone disorders.
Alkaline phosphatase
An enzyme found in the liver and heart; elevated levels can indicate liver or muscle damage.
Aspartate aminotransferase
A yellow compound formed during the breakdown of red blood cells; high levels can cause jaundice and indicate liver dysfunction.
Bilirubin
A measure of urea levels in the blood, used to assess kidney function.
Blood urea nitrogen
A lipid essential for cell
membrane structure, but high levels can
increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Cholesterol
An enzyme found in the
heart, brain, and skeletal muscle; elevated levels can indicate muscle damage or myocardial infarction.
Creatinine kinase
A waste product from
muscle metabolism, used to assess kidney
function.
Creatinine
A group of metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both.
Diabetes mellitus
A protein fragment produced when a blood clot dissolves; elevated levels may indicate thrombosis.
D-dimer
Minerals in the blood and other
body fluids that carry an electric charge, including sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate.
Electrolytes
A laboratory technique to detect antibodies or antigens in a sample.
Enzyme-linked immunoasorbent assay
Atestmeasuring
blood glucose levels after a period of fasting,
used to diagnose diabetes.
Fasting blood glucose
A test to estimate how much blood passes through the glomeruli of the kidneys each minute; a key indicator of kidney function.
Glomerular filtration rate
Aproteinthatstoresironinthe
body; levels indicate the amount of stored iron.
Ferritin
An enzyme
involved in the transfer of amino acids and peptides; elevated levels can indicate liver disease.
Gamma-glutamyl transferase
A simple sugar that provides energy for the body; blood glucose levels are critical in diagnosing and managing diabetes.
Glucose
Aformofhemoglobin that is measured to identify the average plasma glucose concentration over prolonged periods; used in diabetes management.
Hemoglobin A1c
Often referred to as “good cholesterol,” HDL helps remove cholesterol from the arteries.
High density lipoprotein
A laboratory technique that uses the binding between an antigen and its antibody to identify and quantify substances.
Immunoassay
Astandardized number that’s calculated based on the results of a PT test; used to monitor patients on anticoagulant therapy.
International normalized ratio
Chemicals that the liver produces when there is not enough insulin in the body; high levels are found in diabetic ketoacidosis.
Ketones
Produced in muscles during vigorous exercise; elevated levels can indicate tissue hypoxia.
Lactic acid
A group of tests that measure cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Lipid profile
A protein in heart and skeletal muscles that binds oxygen; elevated levels can indicate muscle injury.
Myoglobin
A mineral involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body; essential for muscle and nerve function.
Magnesium
A protein produced by the prostate gland; elevated levels can indicate prostate cancer or other prostate conditions.
Prostatic specific antigen
A hormone that regulates calcium levels in the blood; abnormalities can indicate parathyroid disorders.
Parathyroid hormon
Procedures and measures taken to ensure the accuracy and reliability of laboratory tests.
Quality control
A group of tests to
evaluate kidney function, including BUN, creatinine, and electrolytes.
Renal panel
The normal/abnormal
range of values for a given laboratory test,
used to interpret individual results.
Reference range
An essential electrolyte that helps
regulate water balance and is crucial for
nerve and muscle function.
Sodium
A technique used to measure
the amount of light absorbed by a solution, used in various biochemical assays.
Spectrophotometry
A type of fat (lipid) found in the blood; high levels can increase the risk of heart disease.
Triglycerides
A waste product formed from
the breakdown of purines; high levels can lead to gout and kidney stones.
Uric acid
A waste product formed in the liver and excreted by the kidneys; measured in blood and urine to assess renal function.
Urea
A fat-solublevitaminessential
for calcium absorption and bone health; deficiencies can lead to rickets or osteomalacia.
Vitamin- D
A laboratory method used to
detect specific protein molecules from a mixture of proteins.
Reference: Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics.
Western blot
The process of obtaining blood from a vein, usually for laboratory testing.
Venipuncture
