Clinical Pathology

Question 1

Give the three points at which variability factors will affect results

Answer 1

Pre-analytical
Analytical
Post-analytical

Question 2

Give examples of pre-analytical factors

Answer 2

Patient prep, sample prep, shipping

Question 3

Give examples of analytical factors

Answer 3

Appropriate equipment, reagents and sensitivity, specificity etc

Question 4

Give examples of post-analytical factors

Answer 4

Results for the correct patient, interpretation, sensitivity, specificity

Question 5

Describe inter individual variables

Answer 5

Inherent differences e.g. species, breed, age, sex

Question 6

Describe intra individual variables

Answer 6

Differences within an animal due to external factors

Question 7

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of serum for diagnostics

Answer 7

ADV
- works better with autoanalysers
- most normal values are for serum
DISADV
- Separation takes time and may result in haemolysis

Question 8

Describe the disadvantage of using plasma

Answer 8

Not reccomended for some anaysis

Question 9

Describe the preparation of serum and plasma for testing

Answer 9

• Both should be separated from blood cells ASAP
• Closed tube , patient details and date
• Freeze to store

Question 10

What anticoagulants would you use for Haematology

Answer 10

EDTA

Question 11

What anticoagulants would you use for Clinical chemistry

Answer 11

EDTA

Question 12

What anticoagulants would you use for glucose

Answer 12

Fluoride Oxylate

Question 13

What anticoagulants would you use for haemostasis/coagulation

Answer 13

Citrate

Question 14

Describe the effect of haemolysis on diagnostics values and how is it avoided

Answer 14

• Never dispense blood through a needle

- Increased/reduced concentration of cell contents depending on cell number

Question 15

Describe the effects of Lipaemia on diagnostic values

Answer 15

Increases or decreases values of some compounds due to presence of extra lipid fraction and turbidity caused
Increase in total lipid, triglycerides and cholesterol
Results are significanty affected

Question 16

Describe precision

Answer 16

Repeatability/reproducibility

Question 17

Describe accuracy

Answer 17

Measuring the right thing correctly

Question 18

Define diagnostic Specificity

Answer 18

Ability of a technique to measure one single analyte in a complex solution

Question 19

Define precision

Answer 19

Ability of a technique to give the same result for repeated measures of the same specimen with the same technique

Question 20

Describe accuracy

Answer 20

Ability of a technique to give the true value of the analyte measured

Question 21

Quality control

Answer 21

A control material which is treated and measured as a sample and allows for the assessment of validity

Question 22

Define repeatability

Answer 22

Same process same person

Question 23

Define reproducibility

Answer 23

Same process different person

Question 24

Give the equation for the coeffieient of variation

Answer 24

=Standard deviation/mean

Question 25

What different mechanisms may result in anuria /oliguria

Answer 25

Anuria - No urine produced by the kidneys (potentially kidney failure or chronic kidney disease)
Oliguria - Decreased urine production (kidney dysfuntion, kidney stones, uretal blockage)

Question 26

What can you discern from high creatinine and urea levels in the blood?

Answer 26

GF isn’t working as it should - should be filtering these from the blood