Clinical Pathology Flashcards
What are the 4 components of a CBC that you need to look at the numbers and morphology of?
- erythron
- leukon
- thrombon
- total plasma protein + fibrinogen
What type of tests are CBC, Chemistry, urinalysis, and blood gas?
screening tests
you must put the results of these tests in context with the physical exam findings.
When looking at the erythron component on a CBC, what should you consider?
- RBC mass (RBC count, HGB, HCT/PCV)
- RBC indices (MCHC, MCV)
- RBC morphology
- RBC regeneration (reticulocyte count and %, morphological changes)
what is the calculation that can be done to obtain HCT?
HGB x 3
= HCT +/- 1-3
ex. if the HGB was 5.5, mulitply that by 3 and you’d get a HCT of ~15.
When looking at the leukon component of a CBC, what must you examine/consider?
- leukocytosis (neutrophilia, lymphocytosis, monocytosis, or eosinophilia/basophilia)
- leukopenia (neutropenia, lymphopenia, monocytopenia, basopenia)
List the potential reason for the following CBC changes:
A. Neutrophilia
B. Lymphocytosis
C. Monocytosis
D. Eosinohilia/Basophilia
E. Neutropenia
F. Lymphopenia +/- Eosinopenia
G. Monocytopenia and Basopenia
A. Neutrophilia – inflammation, epinephrine, corticosteroid
B. Lymphocytosis – epinephrine (physiologic), chronic inflammation
C. Monocytosis – stress, increased demand for macrophages
D. Eosinohilia/Basophilia – worms, etc.
E. Neutropenia – overwhelming inflammation
F. Lymphopenia +/- Eosinopenia – corticosteroid/stress
G. Monocytopenia and Basopenia – n/a ?? lol
When looking at the thrombon component, what could you examine/consider?
- platelet count – thrombocytosis or -penia
- platelet estimation – are there any clumps?
- platelet morphology
- platelet function (BMBT, aggregometry, flow cytometry)
- vWF
- coagulation factors (PT/PTT)
- fibrinogen
- FDPs/D-Dimers
- Global hemostasis –> thromboelastogram
What is an indication for performing serum protein electrophoresis?
When you have unexplained hyperglobulinemia
Can determine cancer vs inflammation
what can tell you about energy metabolism in the patients body?
- carbohydrates – glucose, fructosamine
- lipids – cholesterol, triglycerides, ketones, NEFAs
what are 3 PRIMARY ways to assess renal function?
- creatinine
- BUN
- urinalysis UPC
what are 4 SECONDARY ways to assess renal function?
- albumin
- minerals
- electrolytes
- acid-base
what is the equation for corrected chloride?
average Na / measured Na
x measured Cl
for ex. if average Na is 143, measured Na is 155, and
measured Cl is 134… 143/155 x 134 = 124 (the corrected Cl)
what are 5 markers of liver injury?
- ALT
- AST
- GDH
- SDH
- LDH
what are ways to examine liver function?
- albumin
- BUN
- glucose
- cholesterol
- coagulation factors
- conjugated bilirubin
- fibrinogen
- ammonia
- bile acids
- RBCs
What markers can you look at for suspicion of cholestasis?
- ALP*
- GGT*
- Bilirubin
- Urinalysis
what is the primary indicator of muscle injury?
CK
what are secondary indicators of muscle injury?
- AST
- LDH
- K and P
- myoglobin in urine
How can you assess pancreas health/function?
- lipase
- amylase
- trypsin-like immunoreactivity (TLI)
- pacreatic lipase immunoreactivity (PLI)
- cobalamin
- folate
what is the MOST specific and sensitive test for pancreatitis in dogs and cats?
Pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (PLI)
in house rapid tests (SNAP cPL and fPL) are NOT as reliable as lab send out tests.