clinical_flashcards
What is the use of light purple (Citrate) tubes?
Used for clotting profiles (PT, aPTT).
What are brown tubes used for?
Biochemistry (e.g., urea, creatinine, liver enzymes, proteins, electrolytes).
What are white tubes used for?
Biochemistry and culture of fluids.
What is the function of orange (Heparin) tubes?
Biochemistry (especially in-house machines), exotic animal hematology.
What is the use of yellow (Fluoride) tubes?
For glucose (preserves glucose longer).
What is the purpose of pink (EDTA) tubes?
For hematology; preserves mammalian blood cells.
What is serum?
Liquid part of clotted blood, lacks clotting factors.
What is plasma?
Liquid part of anticoagulated blood, contains clotting factors.
Why are anticoagulant tubes filled first?
To prevent clotting during collection.
When should citrate tubes be filled first?
Always when clotting tests are required.
What are EDTA tubes used for in body fluid collection?
For cell counts and smears.
What are plain tubes used for in body fluid collection?
For culture and antibiograms.
What is the preferred urine collection method?
Cystocentesis to minimize contamination.
What is a reliable dipstick parameter?
Protein, blood, glucose, ketones, pH, bilirubin.
What is an unreliable dipstick parameter?
SG, leukocytes.
What does a stress leukogram look like?
Segmented neuts and monocytes ↑, lymphocytes and eosinophils ↓.
What causes pre-renal azotaemia?
Dehydration.
What are ALT and AST indicators of?
Liver damage.
What does a low T4 and high TSH suggest?
Hypothyroidism.
What does Na:K ratio <27 indicate?
Suggests Addison’s disease.
What does PT test?
Extrinsic and common pathways in secondary haemostasis.
What does aPTT test?
Intrinsic and common pathways in secondary haemostasis.
