LAB EXAM 2: Body Fluids Flashcards
What are the three major types of body fluids?
CSF (cerebrospinal, NOT cerebral spinal)
Synovial
Serous
The epithelial cell exterior of
choroid plexus is the…
“blood-brain barrier”
Produced constantly in brain choroid plexi (“plexuses”, capillary knots that protrude into brain ventricles).
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) is formed via both __________ and ___________ processes.
filtration, active transport
CSF flows over and around….
brain and spinal cord
What is the total CSF volume in adults?
90-150 mL
CSF is produced at a rate of about _____mL/24 hours.
500
What are the three major CSF functions?
Supply nutrients
Remove waste
Act as mechanical barrier & cushion for brain & spinal cord
True or false:
All CSF tubes should be treated as highly infectious
True!!!
“lumbar puncture” is used to collect CSF fluid.
Between what lumbar vertebrae is the puncture done?
between 3rd & 4th, or
4th & 5th, lumbar vertebrae.
CSF Specimen Collection:
Most hospitals usually collect _____ sterile tubes &
label them in the order withdrawn.
3
CSF Specimen Collection:
What is tube #1 used for?***
Chemistry & Serology (1st fluid withdrawn; contains skin plug, but this will get centrifuged & removed.)
C/S
CSF Specimen Collection:
What is tube #2 used for?***
for Micro. (middle of fluid withdrawal; less likely to have skin flora contaminants.)
M
CSF Specimen Collection:
What is tube #3 used for?***
Hematology (last of fluid withdrawn; least likely to have skin cell contamination.)
H
How quickly must CSF samples be processed?
Within 1 hour (STAT)
If there is a 4th tube of CSF, what is it used for?
Gets frozen for extra testing that may be needed later on.
How should Heme tubes be stored if not tested STAT?
refrigerate
CSF cell counts MUST be done within ______ hour.
one, (One hr. is usual t.a.t. for fluid cell counts,
anyway.)
What temp should micro tubes be at for CSF?
room temp. and set up ASAP
_______ CSF tubes may be frozen after centrifugation.
Chem./Sero.
Why should you never discard leftover CSF fluid?
in case more tests are ordered!
What is the normal appearance of CSF?
“crystal clear & colorless”
(appearance must be described in report).
What does Xanthochromic mean?
ANY color of supernate
left AFTER centrifugation.
What can be done to determine CSF supernatant color?
To see colors clearly, centrifuge a Hct capillary or other clear tube filled with CSF, then hold supernate up against a white background.
What could cause cloudy, milky, or turbid CSF?
May be due to ↑ protein,
lipids, or WBCs!
What is the cause of clear pink or red Xanthochromia?
oxyHgb due to blood degradation (> 2
hrs. but < 2 d.)
(The “2X2 rule”.)
What is the cause of orange xanthochromia?
Heavy hemolysis (> 2 hrs. but < 2 d.), or
Carotenemia
What is the cause of yellow Xanthochromia?
OxyHgb broken down to unconjugated bili. from:
Heavy, long-term (> 2 days) hemolysis, or
Kernicterus
What are the two possible causes of bloody or hemolyzed CSF specimens?
Traumatic tap
- inadvertent blood vessel trauma from puncture.
Intracerebral or subarachnoid
hemorrhage (ICH or SAH)
- Must be differentiated from traumatic tap!
What can cause oily CSF samples?
radiographic contrast media
Blood evenly distributed throughout collection tubes.
Traumatic Tap or Intracerebral Hemorrhage?
Intracerebral Hemorrhage***
Siderophages are highly indicative of?
Intracerebral Hemorrhage***
Traumatic Tap or Intracerebral Hemorrhage?
Clear supernatant if recent, but: Xanthochromic supernatant if old! (Good clue but not specific!)
Intracerebral Hemorrhage
In tubercular meningitis, overnight CSF refrigeration may cause a “weblike pellicle” (scum) to form. This should NOT be confused with __________.
clotting
Traumatic Tap or Intracerebral Hemorrhage?
Serum protein contamination may cause xanthochromic supernatant.
Traumatic Tap
Traumatic Tap or Intracerebral Hemorrhage?
Uneven distribution of blood in collection tubes (heaviest in 1st, less in 2nd, etc.)
Traumatic Tap
Traumatic Tap or Intracerebral Hemorrhage?
Sample often (but not always!) clotted (due to plasma fibrinogen
contamination); may even have bloody streaks.
Traumatic Tap