Introductory Lecture

Question 1

Pathology is?

Answer 1

the study of disease in the human body

Question 2

Synonyms of clinical pathology

Answer 2

Chemical pathology
clinical chemistry
clinical biochemistry

Question 3

It uses ________ to diagnose derangements in the metabolic processes of the body.

Answer 3

Chemical rxns in the lab

Question 4

You cannot learn Chemical Pathology without a sound knowledge of _______& _______

Answer 4

Physiology which deals with the normal functioning of the systems of the body.

And

Biochemistry is the study of the structure of body tissues and all the metabolic processes going on in the body.

Question 5

Chemical Pathology is a clinical subject which bridges the gap between? by the use of laboratory tests to make diagnoses.

Answer 5

the knowledge of the basic medical sciences and clinical medicine

Question 6

Steps when a patient goes into the hospital

Answer 6

1. History taking and Clinical Examination: doctor makes a tentative diagnosis
2. The clinician makes a request to the pathologist through a request form. Asking him to use the laboratory chemical analysis to scientifically prove or disprove his tentative diagnosis.
3. On the form, details concerning the patient are filled out.
4. Patient preparation
5. Laboratory analysis
6. Accurate and precise methods
7. Interpretation of results

Question 7

Details on the biochemical analysis form include

Answer 7

Name
Hospital number
Age
Gender
Ward
Drug history
Tribe, Race
Date & time
Name of clinician
Emergency or routine sample
Tests to be done

Question 8

Sample preparation commences when the blood sample is centrifuged and the sample either______or ______ is separated from the cells.

Answer 8

plasma or serum

Question 9

In the chemical pathology laboratory, most investigations are carried out on_____& _______

Answer 9

plasma and urine.

Question 10

_______ is the anticoagulant of choice

Answer 10

Lithium heparin

Question 11

accurate test meaning

Answer 11

it is as close to the correct value as possible

Question 12

It must be precise meaning

Answer 12

that means that if repeated the same result will be got.

Question 13

The method must be specific, that is?

Answer 13

it must not analyse other constituents of the plasma.

Question 14

Finally, it must be sensitive, that is, it?

Answer 14

must be capable of picking up low levels of the substance which is being analysed

Question 15

To give accurate interpretation of results, what should be known?

Answer 15

the reference ranges must be known in the general population

Question 16

Turn around time is ?

Answer 16

The time it takes for the result after request, to get back to the requesting clinician is called the turnaround time. (TAT)

Question 17

The shorter the turnaround time

Answer 17

the more efficient the laboratory,

and the more useful the result for patient management.

Question 18

Tests are divided into

Answer 18

1. stat tests, those required for quick decision making. The turnaround time for such tests must be as short as possible.
2. Routine tests are those done within the day’s work and the usual turnaround time for routine tests is about eight hours.

(Any time greater than this renders the test ineffective towards quick medical decision making.)

Question 19

CHEMICAL PATHOLOGY LABORATORIES ARE STAFFED BY THE FOLLOWING:-

Answer 19

Chemical pathologists
Medical laboratory scientific officers
Clinical scientists

Question 20

Chemical pathology lab request form includes?

Answer 20

Surname
Patient’s
Patient’s
First Name
Hospital
Number
Ward/
Clinic
Lab
Number
Clinician
Age
Sex
Relevant Clinical Data/Clinical Summary
Name of lab staff who did the test(s):
Sample: Venous Blood □ Arterial Blood □ Capillary Blood □ Urine □ CSF □
Other Fluids: (please specify)

Question 21

Job of a chemical pathologist

Answer 21

CLINICAL AND SCIENTIFIC LIAISON
PATIENT PREPARATION AND SAMPLE HANDLING
QUALITY ASSURANCE AND TROUBLE SHOOTING
INTERPRETATION OF ANALYTICAL DATA FOR DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PATIENT
DEVELOPMENT OF PROTOCOLS
ACTING AS A SCIENTIFIC RESOURCE FOR THE HOSPITAL
TEACHING
RESEARCH

Question 22

Patient with broken bone will need

Answer 22

X-ray
MRI
Blood count
Electrolyte

Question 23

Colours of these forms

Hematology
Chemistry
X-ray

Answer 23

Pink
Yellow
Green

Question 24

Plasma =

Answer 24

Serum + anticoagulant