practice of medicine

Question 1

Beta human chorionic gonadotropin

Answer 1

HCG hormone produced by the placenta and is typically detected in the blood.
Beta HCG test is used to diagnose pregnancy, usually becomes positive around the time the first missed period.

Question 2

Amylase

Answer 2

Protein made by pancreas and glands in mouth and throat.
Helps breakdown of carbohydrates and starches into sugar.
increase caused by pancreatitis.

Question 3

Prostate specific antigen

Answer 3

Made by prostate gland
Measurable antigen used in blood screening for prostate cancer.
High levels of PSA sign of prostate cancer, non-cancerous condition prostatitis, enlarged prostate gland.

Question 4

CRP - C Reactive Protein

Answer 4

secreted by liver in response to inflammation of cytokines.
Binds damaged cells
positive or negative
non-specific marker of disease, infection or malignancy

Question 5

Renal function test

Answer 5

Urea: by-product of humans produced urine, the body’s breakdown of proteins and ammonia.
it is toxic product of nitrogen metabolism.
kidneys excrete them as to not accumulate with body and become toxic
increase due to dehydration and renal failure.
Creatinine:
breakdown product of creatinine phosphate from muscle and protein metabolism.
increase due to renal failure

Question 6

Liver enzymes

Answer 6

Proteins which act as catalysts in metabolic process.
Large quantities are found in hepatocytes
These enzymes leak out of the damaged cells into the bloodstream, when the liver cells are damaged by disease. the levels rise within the bloodstream.

Question 7

Alpha-Feta protein

Answer 7

Protein produced by the liver in a developing fetus.
during the baby’s development some AFP is released into the mothers blood.
An AFP test measures the AFP in a pregnant women during the second trimester
increase in AFP indicates neural tube defect in fetus
presence in a non-pregnant women indicates primary liver cancer or germ cell neoplasms

Question 8

Prothrombin Time (PT) or Index

Answer 8

PT is a blood test that measures the time it takes for the liquid portion of blood to clot.
prolonged PT blood takes longer to clot
indicates: acute chronic liver disease/biliary obstruction
Vitamin K deficiency.

Question 9

Plasma protein

Answer 9

Proteins present in blood.
Function: Transport of lipids, hormones, vitamins and minerals in activity and the functioning of the immune system.
Chronic liver disease, lymphoma, myeloma and AIDS, increases production of plasma protein.

Question 10

Bilirubin

Answer 10

An orange-yellow substance made during the normal breakdown of red blood cell.
Passes through the liver and is excreted out of the body.
Upper limit of normal indicates different types of liver problems.
High levels of bilirubin leads to jaundice.

Question 11

Blood test for:

Answer 11

B HCG
Liver biochemistry
Renal function test
CRP/PSA/AMALYSE