Lab Study 1 Flashcards
What can the lab offer to aid the primary care giver in determining the patient’s risk of developing heart disease?
- Lipoprotein Profile (LPP)
2. Lipid Panel (LIPP)
What is the result of high levels of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C)?
Double’s a person’s risk of heart disease and excess LDL-C builds up in the walls of arteries forming plaque and fatty deposits resulting in atherosclerosis that limits blood flow to a person’s heart, brain kidneys, other organs and legs.
What is HDL-C and its nickname? Why?
HDL-C = High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol.
“Good cholesterol” as it helps to remove excess cholesterol from the body.
What tests are part of the Lipoprotein Profile?
- Triglycerides
- Total Cholesterol
- HDL-C (High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol)
- LDL-C (Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol).
- Non-HDL Cholesterol
Is a non-fasting sample acceptable? When is it not?
Yes, non-fasting is acceptable.
Fasting for 8 hours is recommended for patients with previous triglycerides greater than 4.5 mmol/L.
When is the Friedewald formula for LDL-C calculation applicable?
Friedewald formula for LDL-C calculation is applicable for triglyceride concentrations < 4.6 mmol/L.
When triglycerides are > 4.6 mmol/L, LDL-C values risk being elevated due to presence of VLDL and chylomicrons.
What interfering substances does one need to be aware when performing the Lipoprotein Profiile?
Hemoglobin and bilirubin can interfere with enzymatic measurement of total cholesterol.
What is an osmometer used for in the medical lab?
An osmometer is used to measure the concentration of solutes within the sample via freezing point depression. This can provide useful information regarding patients electrolyte balance and the presence of acid-base disorders.
Is sodium an extra or intra _cellular ion? What is its purpose in the body and what is it used to assess?
Sodium (Na) - primary extracellular cation. Functions to maintain fluid distribution and osmotic pressure. Used to assess acid-base balance, water balance, and dehydration
Is potassium (K) an extra or intra _cellular ion? What is its purpose in the body and what is it used to assess?
Potassium (K) - primary intracellular cation. Functions to maintain critical nerve and muscle cell activity. Used to assess electrolyte balance, muscle weakness, cardiac arrhythmia, and renal failure.
How is Chloride used in the body?
Chloride (Cl) - primary extracellular anion. Functions to maintain body water distribution, osmotic pressure, and normal anion-cation balance. Used to assess acid-base balance, water balance, and dehydration.
What molecule is used in acid-base regulation?
Total CO2 (CO2) - buffering system that functions in acid-base regulation. Used in the diagnosis and treatment of acid-base imbalances in the respiratory and metabolic systems.
What is the most abundant mineral in the body?
Calcium (CA) - most abundant mineral in the body. Used to diagnose and manage a variety of disorders including bone, renal, parathyroid, and GI disease.
What are the many functions of Albumin in the body?
Albumin (AL) - constitutes 60% of the total serum protein and serves many functions including transport, binding toxic heavy metal ions, maintenance of serum osmotic pressure, etc.
Why is urea measured in the medical laboratory?
Urea (U) - end product of protein and amino acid metabolism excreted by the kidneys. Used to screen for renal function. Can be used in conjunction with creatinine to aid in diagnosis of pre-renal, renal, and post-renal hyperuremia.
What are the pre-analytical considerations that can impact accuracy of electrolyte analysis in the laboratory?
- Saline IV fluid contamination - falsely increased sodium and chloride values
- Contamination with K2 EDTA anticoagulant - falsely increased potassium value and falsely decreased calcium value
- Hemolysis - falsely increased potassium value
Samples that appear turbid, lipemic, hemolyzed, or contain particulate matter should be avoided.
What is osmality?
Osmolality, the concentration of solute particles; e.g. in a urine or plasma/serum sample.
What ions contribute the most to osmolality?
Sodium, chloride, and bicarbonate contribute the most to osmolality.
What are the standard units of osmolality?
The standard units are milliosmoles/kilogram (mOsm/Kg).
What is the physical principle that the osmometer works on at the RRC lab?
Colligative property of freezing point depression.
The greater the number of dissolved particles present in the sample the lower the freezing point of the sample.
What is the anion gap?
The anion gap represents the difference in charge concentration between the unmeasured anions and unmeasured cations. There is never a “gap” between the total cationic and anionic charges. The anion gap is created by the concentration differences between commonly measured cations (sodium and potassium) and commonly measured anions (chloride and bicarbonate).
What is the is the anion gap used to assess?
The anion gap can be used to:
- Assess instrument error - an abnormal anion gap on a “healthy” sample can indicate an instrument issue
- Presence of metabolic acidosis
- Indicate presence of unmeasured anions such as ketones or lactate
What is the equation for anion gap and its reference ranges?
Anion gap = Na - (Cl + TCO2) or (Na + K) - (Cl + TCO2)
Reference Range (without K+): 8 - 16 mmol/L
Reference Range (with K+): 12 - 20 mmol/L
What affects calcium concentrations in the blood sample?
Total calcium concentrations are affected by albumin concentrations. If a patient has hypoalbuminemia than their measured calcium concentrations will be lowered.