Clinical Chemistries: Protein and Hepatobiliary Testing Flashcards

1
Q

Are protein assays a liver function test?

A

Not specifically

Two of the three plasma proteins are produced by the liver

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2
Q

What two plasma proteins are produced by the liver?

A

Albumin and Fibrinogen

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3
Q

Are there other proteins produced by the liver

A

Yes, they are just in smaller amounts

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4
Q

What are globulins produced by?

A

The immune system

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5
Q

What are the functions of plasma proteins?

A
Help form structural matrix of all cells, organs, and tissues
Maintain osmotic pressure
Serve as enzymes, buffers, and hormones
Function in blood coagulation
Help with the body's defense system
Act as transport or carrier molecules
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6
Q

Total Protein

A

The total amount of protein in serum

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7
Q

What does total protein measure specifically?

A

Albumin, globulins, and many other proteins

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8
Q

What is total protein useful in determining?

A

The hydration status of the patient

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9
Q

Hyperproteinemia

A

Dehydrated patient

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10
Q

Hypoproteinemia

A

Over-hydrated or other causes

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11
Q

What protein tests can you run?

A
Total plasma protein
Total Protein
Albumin
Globulin
Fibrinogen
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12
Q

Total plasma protein

A

Uses plasma and includes all 3 proteins
Can measure with PCV tube and refractometer or
GTT in the analyzer

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13
Q

Albumin

A

Run in chemistry analyzer

Makes up 35-50% of total protein

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14
Q

Globulin

A

Rarely done

Estimated by taking the difference between TP and ALB

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15
Q

Fibrinogen

A

Run with 4 PCV tubes

After spinning, cook 2 in a warm water bath and take the difference on the refractometer

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16
Q

Hypoalbuminemia

A

Low Albumin

17
Q

What are the causes of low albumin?

A
  1. Liver disease
  2. Kidney damage
  3. Malnutrition
  4. Intestinal disease
  5. Bloodsucking parasites
18
Q

How does liver disease cause low albumin?

A

If the liver is not making adequate amounts

19
Q

How does kidney damage cause low albumin?

A

Proteins are leaking through a damaged glomerulus

20
Q

How does intestinal disease cause low albumin

A

Prevents the absorption of proteins

21
Q

High Albumin =

A

Usually dehydration

22
Q

Why is the albumin/globulin ratio important?

A

Because it is the first indication of a protein abnormality

23
Q

What is the albumin/globulin ratio analyzed in conjunction with?

A

The protein profile

24
Q

What alters the albumin/globulin ratio?

A

Most pathologic conditions

25
Q

What condition does not alter the albumin/globulin ratio and why?

A

Hemorrhage because everything is reduced in equal amounts

26
Q

Fibrinogen

A

Only when you have plasma

Produced by the liver

27
Q

What percent does fibrinogen make up in the total plasma protein?

A

3 to 6%

28
Q

What happens if fibrinogen is low?

A

Blood will not clot normally

29
Q

What causes high fibrinogen?

A

Inflammation or tissue damage

30
Q

What phase is clotting involved in

A

Mechanical phase

Platelets and smooth muscle contraction

31
Q

What phase is the clotting cascade apart of?

A

Chemical phase

Fibrinogen gets converted into insoluble fibrin