CLINICAL - Measuring Total Protein

Question 1

Describe how to measure total protein

Answer 1

1. Gently invert the blood sample ten times
2. Draw up blood into two capillary tubes until the blood fills approximately 80% of the tube
3. Wipe the excess blood off the capillary tubes with a tissue
4. Push the end of the capillary tubes into clay sealant
5. Place both of the capillary tubes into the microhaematocrit centrifuge opposite each other with the plugged ends facing outwards
6. Make sure the plate of the centrifuge is firmly screwed down over the samples
7. Close the lid of the centrifuge and set it to spin at 10,000 rpm for 5 minutes or to the PCV/ haematocrit setting
8. When the capillary tubes are spinning, calibrate a refractometer
9. When the capillary tubes are ready, using nail clippers, cut the capillary tube immediately above the buffy coat on the plasma side
10. Carefully place the broken plasma end of the capillary tube into the tip of a pipette (Make sure the pipette bulb is not depressed while attaching. This will cause serum/plasma to be pulled into the pipette preventing full sample being expelled onto refractometer)
11. Using the pipette, expel two drops of plasma onto the refractometer
12. Measure and record the total protein from the S.P. scale
13. Remove the plasma from the refractometer prism and lid with blue roll
14. Clean the refractometer prism and lid with distilled water
15. Fully dry the refractometer will blue roll
16. Dispose of the capillary tubes in the sharps bin, and the blue roll and pipettes into clinical waste