Lab Diagnostics

Question 1

Name the most common test performed in hematology.

Answer 1

Complete Blood Count?

Question 2

Name two chemistry tests used to check kidney function.

Answer 2

BUN/Creatinine

Kidney tests are part of the basic metabolic panel

Question 3

Differentiate liver function tests from liver injury tests

Answer 3

Elevated ALT, AST, and ALP indicate liver injury test

Elevated Bilirubin indicates injury and function - because the liver is supposed to remove bilirubin from blood to make bile.

Question 4

Identify which antibody type (IgG or IgM) indicates a past (convalescent) infection.

Explain the significance of IgM, or a >= 4-fold change in IgG titer.

Answer 4

IgG

IgM indicates current or recent infection

4-fold change indicates acute infection.

Question 5

Interpret a urinalysis to r/o a urinary tract infection.

Answer 5

Best indication - leukocyte esterase

Also: Increased nitrate, blood, bilirubin, and protein

Question 6

State which hepatitis B virus antibody clears the virus, which slows HBV replication, and which most accurately identifies HBV infection

Answer 6

Clears: Anti-HBsAg
Slows: Anti-HBeAg
Identifies: Anti-HBcAg

Question 7

Interpret a 2 x 2 chart and identify which cells are used to determine sensitivity and specificity.
Explain what different questions sensitivity and specificity ask about
disease.

Answer 7

2x2 Chart: Top row is Present (+) and Absent (-); First column is Positive (+) and Negative (-)

Sensitivity: proportion of diseased people who test positive; left column of chart; TP/(TP + FN)

Specificity: proportion of healthy people who test negative; right column of chart; TN / (TN+ FP)