Review Cards - Clinical Chemistry Flashcards
Reference range: Bilirubin, total
0.2-1 mg/dL
SI units: 3.4-17.1 umol/L
Reference range: BUN
6-20 mg/dL
SI units: 2.1-7.1 mmol/L
Reference range: Calcium, total
8.6-10 mg/dL
SI units: 2.15-2.5 mmol/L
Reference range: Chloride
98-107 mEq/L
SI units: 98-107 mmol/L
Reference range: Creatinine
0.6-1.2 mg/dL
SI units: 53-106 mmol/L
Values can vary between males and females
Reference range: Glucose, fasting
70-99 mg/dL
SI units: 3.9-5.5 mmol/L
Reference range: Potassium
3.5-5.1 mEq/L
SI units: 3.5-5.1 mmol/L
Reference range: Potassium
3.5-5.1 mEq/L
SI units: 3.5-5.1 mmol/L
Reference range: Sodium
136-145 mEq/L
SI units: 136-145 mmol/L
Reference range: Total protein
6.4-8.3 g/dL
SI units: 64-83 g/L
Reference range: Uric acid
Male: 3.5-7.2 mg/dL
Female: 2.6-6 mg/dL
SI units:
Male: 208-428 umol/L
Female: 155-357 umol/L
Diurnal variation - analytes affected?
Increased in AM: ACTH, cortisol, iron
Increased in PM: growth hormone, PTH, TSH
Day-to-day variation - analytes affected?
> =20% for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), bilirubin, creatinine kinase, steroid hormones, triglycerides
Recent food ingesting - analytes affected?
Increased: glucose, insulin, gastrin, triglycerides, sodium, uric acid, iron, lactate dehydrogenase, calcium
Decreased: chloride, phosphate, potassium
Fasting required: fasting glucose, triglycerides, lipid panel
Alcohol - analytes affected?
Decreased: glucose
Increased: cholesterol, gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT)
Posture - analytes affected?
Increased: albumin, cholesterol, calcium
(when standing)
Activity - analytes affected?
Increased in ambulatory patients: creatinine kinase (CK)
Increased with exercise: potassium, phosphate, lactic acid, creatinine, protein, CK, aspartate, aminotransferase (AST), LD
Stress - analytes affected?
Increased: ACTH, cortisol, catecholamines
Age, gender, race, drugs - analytes affected?
Various
Use of isopropyl alcohol wipes to disinfect venipuncture site - effect?
can compromise blood alcohol determination
squeezing site of capillary puncture - effect?
increased potassium
pumping fist during venipuncture - effect?
increased: potassium, lactic acid, calcium, phosphorus
decreased: pH
Tourniquet >1 minute - effect?
increased: potassium, total protein, lactic acid
IV fluid contamination - effect?
Increased: glucose, potassium, sodium, chloride (depending on IV)
Possible dilution of other analytes.
Incorrect anticoagulant or contamination from incorrect order of draw - effect?
K2EDTA:
decreased calcium, magnesium
increased potassium
Sodium heparin: increased sodium if tube is not completely filled
Lithium heparin: increased lithium
Gels: some interfere with trace metals & certain drugs
Hemolysis - effect?
Increased potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, LD, AST, iron, ammonia
(May be method dependent. Refer to reagent package inserts.)
Exposure to light - effect?
decreased bilirubin
Temperature between collection & testing - effect?
chilling required for lactic acid, ammonia, blood gases
Inadequate centrifugation - effect?
poor barrier formation in gel tubes can result in increased: potassium, LD, AST, iron, phosphorus
Recentrifugation of primary tubes - effect?
hemolysis
Increased potassium
Delay in separating serum/plasma (unless gel tube is used) - effect?
Increased: ammonia, lactic acid, potassium, magnesium, LD
Decreased: glucose (unless collected in fluoride)
Storage temperature - effect?
Decreased at RT: glucose (unless collected in fluoride)
Increased at RT: lactic acid, ammonia
Decreased at 4*C: LD
Increased at 4*C: alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
Higher in plasma than serum
Total protein
LD
Calcium
Higher in serum than plasma
Potassium
Phosphate
Glucose
CK
Bicarbonate
ALP
Albumin
AST
Triglycerides
Higher in plasma than whole blood
Glucose
Higher in capillary blood than venous blood
Glucose (in postprandial specimen)
Potassium
Higher in venous blood than capillary blood
Calcium
Total protein
Higher in RBCs than plasma
Potassium
Phosphate
Magnesium
Higher in plasma than RBCs
Sodium
Chloride
Spectophotometry - principle?
A chemical reaction produces a colored substance that absorbs light of a specific wavelength.
The amount of light absorbed is directly proportional to the concentration of the analyte.
Spectrophotometry - component parts?
1.Light source:
a. Tungsten lamp - visible range
b. Deuterium lamp - UV range
2. Monochromator - diffraction grating
3. Cuvette
4. Photodetector
5. Readout device
Atomic absorption spectrophotometry - principle?
Measures light absorbed by ground-state atoms.
Hollow cathode lamp with cathode made of analyte produces wavelength specific for analyte.
Used to measure TRACE METALS.
Atomic absorption spectrophotometry - component parts?
- Hollow cathode lamp
- Atomizer
- Flame
- Mixing chamber
- Chopper
- Monochromator
- Detector
- Readout device
Fluorometry - principle?
Atoms absorb light of a specific wavelength & emit light of a longer wavelength (lower energy)
Detector at 90* to the light source so that only light emitted by the sample is measured.
More sensitive than colorimetry.
Used to measure DRUGS, HORMONES.
Fluorometry - component parts?
- Light source - mercury or xenon arc lamp
- Primary monochromator
- Sample holder (quartz cuvettes)
- Secondary monochromator
- Detector
- Readout device
Chemiluminescence - principle?
Chemical reaction that produces light. Usually involves oxidation of luminol, acridinium esters, or dioxetanes.
Doesn’t require excitation radiation or monochromators like fluorometry. Extremely sensitive. Used for immunoassays.
Chemiluminescence - component parts?
- Reagent probes
- Sample & reagent cuvettes
- Photomultiplier tube
- Readout device
Turbidimetry - principle?
Measures the reduction in light transmission by particles in suspension.
Used to measure proteins in urine & CSF.
Nephelometry - principle?
Similar to turbidimetry, but light is measured at an angle from the light source.
Used to measure antigen-antibody reactions.
Turbidimetry - component parts?
- Light source
- Lens
- Cuvette
- Photodetector
- Readout device
Nephelometry - component parts?
- Light source
- Collimator
- Monochromator
- Cuvette
- Photodetector
- Readout device
Visible light spectrum: 350-430 nm
Color absorbed?
Color transmitted (visible)?
Absorbed: Violet
Transmitted: Yellow
Visible light spectrum: 430-475 nm
Color absorbed?
Color transmitted (visible)?
Absorbed: Blue
Transmitted: Orange
Visible light spectrum: 475-495 nm
Color absorbed?
Color transmitted (visible)?
Absorbed: Blue-green
Transmitted: Red-orange
Visible light spectrum: 495-505 nm
Color absorbed?
Color transmitted (visible)?
Absorbed: Green-blue
Transmitted: Orange-red
Visible light spectrum: 505-555 nm
Color absorbed?
Color transmitted (visible)?
Absorbed: Green
Transmitted: Red
Visible light spectrum: 555-575 nm
Color absorbed?
Color transmitted (visible)?
Absorbed: Yellow-green
Transmitted: Violet-red
Visible light spectrum: 575-600 nm
Color absorbed?
Color transmitted (visible)?
Absorbed: Yellow
Transmitted: Violet
Visible light spectrum: 600-650 nm
Color absorbed?
Color transmitted (visible)?
Absorbed: Orange
Transmitted: Blue
Visible light spectrum: 670-700 nm
Color absorbed?
Color transmitted (visible)?
Absorbed: Red
Transmitted: Green
Wavelengths used in Spectrophotometry: 220-380 nm
Range?
Common light source?
Cuvette?
Range: near-ultraviolet
Light source: deuterium or mercury arc
Cuvette: Quartz (silica)
Wavelengths used in Spectrophotometry: 380-750 nm
Range?
Common light source?
Cuvette?
Range: visible
Light source: Incandescent tungsten OR tungsten-iodide
Cuvette: Borosilicate
Wavelengths used in Spectrophotometry: 750-2,000 nm
Range?
Common light source?
Cuvette?
Range: Near-infrared
Light source: Incandescent tungsten OR tungsten-iodide
Cuvette: Quartz (silica)
Separation of compounds based on different distribution between mobile phase & stationary phase
Chromatography
Thin-layer chromatography - components?
- Sorbent-coated glass or plastic plate
- Closed container
- Solvent
Thin-layer chromatography - use?
Screening for drugs of abuse in urine
Thin-layer chromatography - how are substances identified?
by retention factor (R1) value - distance traveled by compound/distance traveled by solvent
High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) - components?
- Solvent
- Pump
- Injection port
- Column
- Detector
- Recorder
High-performance liquid chromatography - use?
separation of thermolabile compounds
High-performance liquid chromatography - how is concentration determined?
by peak height ratio (height of analyte peak/height of internal standard peak)
High-performance liquid chromatography - what can be used as a detector for definitive identification?
mass spectrometry (MS)
(LC/MS)
Gas chromatography - components?
- Gas
- Injection port
- Column
- Oven
- Detector
- Recorder
Gas chromatography - use?
separation of volatile compounds or compounds that can be made volatile, e.g., therapeutic & toxic drugs
Gas chromatography - what are compounds identified by?
retention time
(area of peak is proportional to concentration)
MS can be used as detector for definitive ID (GC/MS).
Ion-selective electrodes - principle?
Potential difference between 2 electrodes is directly related to the concentration of the analyte.
Ion-selective electrodes - component parts?
- Reference electrode
- Indicator electrode
- Liquid junction
- Measuring device
Ion-selective electrodes - Use?
pH
PCO2
PO2
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Lithium
Chloride
Osmometry - principle?
Determines osmolality based on freezing-point depression.
Measurement of the number of dissolved particles in solution, irrespective of molecular weight, size, density, or type.
Osmolality
Osmometry - component parts?
- cooling bath
- thermistor
- probe
- stirring wire
- galvanometer
Osmometry - use?
Serum & urine osmolality
Electrophoresis - principle?
Separation of charged particles in an electrical field.
Anions move to positively charged pole (anode); cations move to negatively charged pole (cathode).
The greater the charge, the faster the migration.
Electrophoresis - component parts?
- Power supply
- Support medium
- Buffer
- Stain
- Densitometer
Electrophoresis - use?
Serum protein electrophoresis
Hemoglobin electrophoresis
Mass spectrometry - principle?
Generates multiple ions from the sample, then separates them according to their mass to charge ratio (m/z).
Extremely sensitive and specific.
Mass spectrometry - component parts?
- Ion source
- Analyzer
- Detector system
Mass spectrometry - use?
Drugs of abuse
Newborn screening
Hormones
Vitamins
Steroid analysis
Basic metabolic panel
Sodium
Potassium
Chloride
CO2
Glucose
Creatinine
BUN
Calcium
Comprehensive metabolic panel
Sodium
Potassium
Chloride
CO2
Glucose
Creatinine
BUN
Calcium
Albumin
Total protein
ALP
AST
Bilirubin
Electrolyte panel
Sodium
Potassium
Chloride
CO2
Hepatic function panel
Albumin
ALT
AST
ALP
Bilirubin (total & direct)
Total protein
Lipid panel
Total cholesterol
HDL
LDL
Cholesterol
Triglycerides
Renal function panel
Sodium
Potassium
CO2
Glucose
Creatinine
BUN
Calcium
Albumin
Phosphate
Glucose, fasting - reference range?
Normal: <100 mg/dL
(5.6 mmol/L)
Hyperglycemia - clinical significance?
Diabetes mellitus
Other endocrine disorders
Acute stress
Pancreatitis
analyte that is a major source of cellular energy
Glucose
Hypoglycemia - clinical significance?
Insulinoma
Insulin-induced hypoglycemia
Hypopituitarism
Is glucose increased or decreased at RT?
decreased
Which additive should be used when collecting blood for glucose to prevent glycolysis?
Sodium fluoride
Most common methods of determining glucose concentration?
glucose oxidase & hexokinase
Hexokinase = more accurate due to fewer interfering substances
Cholesterol, total - Reference range?
Desirable: <150 mg/dL
(5.2 mmol/L)
Cholesterol, total - clinical significance?
Limited value for predicting risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) by itself.
Used in conjunction with HDL & LDL cholesterol.
Most common method for measuring total cholesterol?
Enzymatic methods
HDL cholesterol - reference range?
Desirable: >=60 mg/dL
(1.5 mmol/L)
HDL cholesterol - clinical significance?
Appears to be inversely related to CAD.
Assays used to measure HDL cholesterol?
Homogenous assays - don’t require pretreatment to remove non-HDL
1st reagent - blocks non-HDL
2nd reagent - reacts with HDL
LDL cholesterol - reference range?
Optimal: <100 mg/dL
(2.6 mmol/L)
LDL cholesterol - clinical significance?
Risk factor for CAD
How is LDL concentration determined?
May be calculated from the Friedewald formula (if triglycerides are not >400 mg/dL) OR measured by direct homogenous assays.
Triglycerides - reference range?
Desirable: <150 mg/dL
(1.7 mmol/L)
Triglycerides - clinical signfiicance?
Risk factor for CAD.
What is the main form of lipid storage?
Triglycerides
Methods used for measuring triglyceride levels?
Enzymatic methods using lipase.
(Requires a fasting specimen)
Total protein - reference range?
6.4-8.3 g/dL
64-83 g/L
Increased total protein - clinical significance?
dehydration
chronic inflammation
multiple myeloma
Decreased total protein - clinical significance?
nephrotic syndrome
malabsorption
overhydration
hepatic insufficiency
malnutrition
agammaglobulinemia
What concentration of total protein is associated with peripheral edema?
<4.5 g/dL
Method of measuring total protein?
Biuret method
(Alkaline copper reagent reacts with peptide bonds)
Albumin - reference range?
3.5-5 g/dL
35-50 g/L
Decreased albumin - clinical significance?
dehydration
Increased albumin - clinical significance?
malnutrition
liver disease
nephrotic syndrome
chronic inflammation
What is the largest fraction of plasma proteins?
Albumin
Where is albumin synthesized?
liver
What is the function of albumin?
regulates osmotic pressure
How is albumin measured?
dye binding, e.g., bromocresol green (BCG), bromocresol purple (BCP)
Microalbumin (performed on urine sample) - reference range?
30-300 mg/24 hr
What is microalbuminuria predictive of?
diabetic nephropathy
Microalbumin - clinical significance?
increased in diabetics at risk of nephropathy
detects albumin in urine earlier than dipstick protein
microalbumin
alternative to measuring microalbumin in a 24 hr urine sample
albumin-to-creatinine ratio on a random sample
hormone that decreases glucose levels
insulin
action of insulin
responsible for entry of glucose into cells; increases glycogenesis
hormones that increase glucose levels
Glucagon
Cortisol
Epinephrine
Growth hormone
Thyroxine
responsible for entry of glucose into cells; increases glycogenesis
insulin
insulin antagonist; increases gluconeogenesis
cortisol
promotes glycogenolysis & gluconeogenesis
epineprhine
insulin antagonist
growth hormone
increases glucose absorption from GI tract; stimulates glycogenolysis
thyroxine
Type I diabetes mellitus - cause?
autoimmune destruction of beta cells
genetic predisposition - HLA-DR 3/4
absolute insulin deficiency; prone to ketoacidosis & diabetic complications
Type 1 DM
Type 2 diabetes mellitus - cause?
Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues.
-insulin secretory defect of beta cells
-associated with obesity
Gestational diabetes mellitus - cause?
placental lactogen inhibits action of insulin
GDM - risk to fetus?
death or neonatal complications - macrosomia, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, polycythemia, hyperbilirubinemia
When is GDM usually diagnosed?
during later 1/2 of pregnancy
Pre-diabetes - cause?
patients unable to utilize glucose efficiently but are not yet considered fully diabetic
Tests for DM - random plasma glucose
Pre-diabetes?
DM?
Pre-diabetes: none
DM: >=200 mg/dL
(>11.1 mmol/L)
When is a random plasma glucose test used?
only for use in patients with symptoms of hyperglycemia
Tests for DM - fasting plasma glucose (FPG)
Pre-diabetes?
DM?
Pre-diabetes: 100-125 mg/dL
DM: >=126 mg/dL
Tests for DM - oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT)
Pre-diabetes?
DM?
140-199 mg/dL - 2 hours post-glucose ingestion indicates pre-diabetes
DM: Fasting >=95 mg/dL OR 1 hour >=180 mg/dL, OR 2 hr >=155 mg/dL
When is an OGTT test performed during pregnancy?
24-28 weeks gestation
Tests for DM - Hemoglobin A1C
Pre-diabetes?
DM?
Pre-diabetes: 5.7-6.4%
DM: >=6.5%
gives estimate of glucose control over previous 2-3 months
hemoglobin A1C
When should a hemoglobin A1C not be used?
patients with hemoglobinopathies or abnormal RBC turnover
Typical laboratory findings in uncontrolled DM:
Increased?
Decreased?
Increased:
1. blood glucose
2. urine glucose
3. urine SG
4. glycohemoglobin
5. ketones (blood & urine)
6. anion gap
7. BUN
8. Osmolality (serum & urine)
9. Cholesterol
10. Triglycerides
Decreased:
1. Bicarbonate
2. Blood pH
Metabolic syndrome - definition?
group of risk factors that seem to promote development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease & type 2 diabetes mellitus
Metabolic syndrome - risk factors?
decreased HDL-C
increased LDL-C
increased triglycerides
increased blood pressure
increased blood glucose
Aminoacidopathies - Phenylketonuria - cause?
deficiency of the enzyme that converts phenylalanine to tyrosine
phenylpyruvic acid in blood & urine
Aminoacidopathies - Phenylketonuria - effect?
mental retardation
Aminoacidopathies - Phenylketonuria - urine?
“mousy” odor
Aminoacidopathies - Phenylketonuria - diagnosis?
Guthrie bacterial inhibition assay, HPLC, tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), fluorometric & enzymatic methods.
All newborns are screened.
Aminoacidopathies - Tyrosinemia - cause?
disorder of tyrosine catabolism - tyrosine and its metabolites are excreted in urine
Aminoacidopathies - Tyrosinemia - effect?
Liver & kidney disease, death
Aminoacidopathies - Tyrosinemia - diagnosis?
MS/MS
Aminoacidopathies - Alkaptonuria - cause?
Deficiency of the enzyme needed in the metabolism of tyrosine & phenylalanine; buildup of homogentisic acid
Aminoacidopathies - Alkaptonuria - effect?
diapers stain black due to homogentisic acid in urine
later in life - darkening of tissues, hip & back pain
Aminoacidopathies - Alkaptonuria - diagnosis?
Gas chromatography & mass spectroscopy
Aminoacidopathies - Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) - cause?
enzyme deficiency leading to the buildup of leucine, isoleucine, and valine
Aminoacidopathies - Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) - effect?
Burnt-sugar odor to urine, breath, & skin.
Failure to thrive, mental retardation, acidosis, seizures, coma & death
Aminoacidopathies - Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) - diagnosis?
Modified Guthrie test, MS/MS
Aminoacidopathies - Homocystinuria - cause?
deficiency in the enzyme needed for the metabolism of methionine; methionine & homocysteine buildup in plasma & urine
Aminoacidopathies - Homocystinuria - effect?
osteoporosis
dislocated lenses in the eye
mental retardation
thromboembolic events
Aminoacidopathies - Homocystinuria - diagnosis?
Guthrie test, MS/MS, LC-MS/MS
Aminoacidopathies - Cystinuria - cause?
Increased excretion of cystine due to defect in renal reabsorption
Aminoacidopathies - Cystinuria - effect?
recurring kidney stones
Aminoacidopathies - Cystinuria - diagnosis?
test urine with cyanide nitroprusside:
pos = red-purple color
Protein electrophoresis - rate of migration?
depends on size, shape, & charge of molecule
Protein electrophoresis - support medium?
cellulose acetate or agarose
Protein electrophoresis - buffer?
barbital buffer, pH 8.6
Protein electrophoresis - stains?
Ponceau S
amido blue
bromphenol blue
Coomassie brilliant blue
Protein electrophoresis - charge?
At pH 8.6, proteins are negatively charged & move toward the anode
Protein electrophoresis - order of migration (fastest to slowest)?
Albumin
alpha-1 globulin
alpha-2 globulin
beta globulin-1
beta globulin-2
gamma globulin
Protein electrophoresis - largest fraction?
albumin
Protein electrophoresis - electroendosmosis?
buffer flow toward cathode - causes gamma region to be cathodic to point of application
Protein electrophoresis - urine?
Must be concentrated first because of low protein concentration.
Bence-Jones proteins migrate to the gamma region in urine electrophoresis.
Protein electrophoresis - CSF?
Must be concentrated first because o flow protein concentration.
CSF has a prealbumin band.
Common serum protein electrophoresis patterns - normal
Common serum protein electrophoresis patterns - acute inflammation
Decreased albumin
Increased alpha-1 & alpha-2
Common serum protein electrophoresis patterns - chronic infection
Increased alpha-1, alpha-2, and gamma
Common serum protein electrophoresis patterns - cirrhosis
Polyclonal increase (all fractions) in gamma with beta-gamma bridging
Common serum protein electrophoresis patterns - monoclonal gammopathy
Sharp increase in 1 immunoglobulin (“M spike”), decrease in other fractions
Common serum protein electrophoresis patterns - polyclonal gammopathy
Diffuse increase in gamma
Common serum protein electrophoresis patterns - hypogammaglobulinemia
decreased gamma
Common serum protein electrophoresis patterns - nephrotic syndrome
decreased albumin
increased alpha-2
Common serum protein electrophoresis patterns - alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency
decreased alpha-1
Common serum protein electrophoresis patterns - hemolyzed specimen
increased beta or unusual band between alpha-2 & beta
Common serum protein electrophoresis patterns - plasma
extra band (fibrinogen) between beta & gamma
List the nonprotein nitrogen compounds.
- BUN
- Creatinine
- Uric acid
- Ammonia
BUN - reference range?
8-26 mg/dL
(2.1-7.1 mmol/L)
BUN - clinical significance?
Increased - kidney disease
Decreased - overhydration or liver disease
How is BUN synthesized?
by the liver from ammonia
How is BUN excreted?
by the kidneys
BUN - reagent?
Urease
Which anticoagulants should not be used to collect a BUN sample?
sodium fluoride
EDTA
citrate
ammonium heparin
How is BUN measured?
Utilizes urease reaction, measure decrease in absorbance at 340 nm
How should a BUN urine specimen be stored?
Dilute urine 1:20 or 1:50 & refrigerate or acidify
Creatinine - reference range?
0.6-1.2 mg/dL
(53-106 mmol/L)
Creatinine - clinical significance?
Increased - kidney disease
waste product from dehydration of creatine (mainly in muscles)
creatinine
Creatinine - method of measurement?
Jaffe reaction (alkaline picrate) is nonspecific but kinetic version increases specificity; enzymatic methods are more specific.
Dilute urine 1:100.
normal BUN:creatinine ratio
12-20
Uric acid - reference range?
Male: 3.5-7.2 mg/dL
Female: 2.6-6 mg/dL
Uric acid - clinical significance?
increased - gout, renal failure, ketoacidosis, lactate excess, high nucleoprotein diet, leukemia, lymphoma, polycythemia
decreased - administration of ACTH, renal tubular defects
What does elevated uric acid increase the risk of developing?
renal calculi
Uric acid - method of measurement?
analyzed with uricase method
EDTA & fluoride interfere
adjust urine pH to 7.5-8 to prevent precipitation
Ammonia - reference range?
19-60 mcg/dL
Ammonia - clinical significance?
Increased - liver disease, hepatic coma, renal failure, Reye syndrome
High levels of what nonprotein nitrogen compound are neurotoxic?
ammonia
What anticoagulant tubes should be used when testing for ammonia?
EDTA or heparin
Why should serum not be used when testing for ammonia?
serum may cause increased levels as NH3 is generated during clotting
How should specimens for ammonia be collected?
EDTA or heparin tubes
Chilled immediately
Analyzed ASAP
Avoid contamination from ammonia from detergents or water
List the major electrolytes.
- sodium
- potassium
- chloride
- CO2, total
Sodium - reference range?
136-145 mmol/L
Sodium - clinical significance - hypernatremia
Increased intake
IV administration
hyperaldosteronism
excessive sweating
burns
diabetes insipidus
-causes tremors, irritability, confusion, coma
Sodium - clinical significance - hyponatremia
Renal or extrarenal loss (vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, burns)
Increased extracellular fluid volume
-causes weakness, nausea, altered mental status
What is the major extracellular cation?
Sodium
What electrolyte contributes almost half to plasma osmolality?
Sodium
Function of sodium in the body
maintains normal distribution of water & osmotic pressure
What are sodium levels regulated by?
aldosterone
Sodium- method of measurment
ion-selective electrode (ISE)
What is the normal sodium/potassium ratio in serum?
30:1
Potassium - reference range?
3.5-5.1 mmol/L
Potassium - clinical significance - hyperkalemia
increased intake
decreased excretion
crush injuries
metabolic acidosis
-can cause muscle weakness, confusion, cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac arrest
Potassium - clinical significance - hyperkalemia
increased GI or urinary loss
use of diuretics
metabolic alkalosis
-can cause muscle weakness, paralysis, breathing problems, cardiac arrhythmia, death
What is the major intracellular cation?
potassium
What can cause a artificial increase in potassium?
squeezing site of capillary puncture
prolonged tourniquet
pumping fist during venipuncture
contamination with IV fluid
hemolysis
prolonged contact with RBCs
leukocytosis
thrombocytosis
Why are serum potassium values 0.1-0.2 mmol/L HIGHER than plasma?
Due to release from platelets during clotting
Potassium - method of measurement
Ion selective electrode (ISE) with vancomycin membrane
Chloride - reference range?
98-107 mmol/L
Chloride - clinical significance - hyperchloremia
increased intake
IV administration
hyperaldosteronism
excessive sweating
burns
diabetes insipidus
excess loss of HCO3-
Chloride - clinical significance - hypochloremia
prolonged vomiting
diabetic ketoacidosis
aldosterone deficiency
salt-losing renal diseases
metabolic alkalosis
compensated respiratory acidosis
What is the major extracellular ion?
Chloride
Function of chloride
helps maintain osmolality, blood volume, electric neutrality
What passively follows sodium?
Chloride
Chloride - method of measurement
ISE
What test is used for the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis?
Sweat chloride test
CO2, total - reference range
23-29 mmol/L
CO2, total - clinical significance - increased
metabolic alkalosis
compensated respiratory acidosis
CO2, total - clinical significance - decreased
metabolic acidosis
compensated respiratory alkalosis
In what form is most CO2?
> 90% bicarbonate (HCO3-)
-remainder is carbonic acid (H2CO3) & dissolved CO2
Function of HCO3-
maintain acid-base balance
Why should you keep a sample being tested for CO2 capped?
to prevent loss of CO2
CO2, total - method of measurement
ISE or enzymatic method
Magnesium - reference range
1.6-2.6 mg/dL
Magnesium - clinical significance - increased
renal failure
increased intake (e.g., antacids)
dehydration
bone cancer
endocrine disorders
-can cause cardiac abnormalities, paralysis, respiratory arrest, coma
Magnesium - clinical significance - decreased
severe illness
GI disorders
endocrine disorders
renal loss
-can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, tremors, tetany, paralysis, psychosis, coma
-rare in non-hospitalized patients
Function of magnesium
essential cofactor for many enzymes
What electrolyte is 10x more concentrated in RBCs?
magnesium
Which anticoagulants/additives should be avoided when collecting a specimen for magnesium? Why?
EDTA, citrate, oxalate
-they bind magnesium
Does hemolysis affect magnesium test results?
yes
Calcium - reference range
Total: 8.6-10 mg/dL
Ionized: 4.60-5.08 mg/dL
Calcium - clinical significance - increased
primary hyperparathyroidism
cancer
multiple myeloma
-can cause weakness, coma, GI symptoms, renal calculi
Calcium - clinical significance - decreased
hypoparathyroidism
malabsorption
vitamin D deficiency
renal tubular acidosis
-leads to tetany (muscle spasms), seizures, cardiac arrhythmias
What is the most abundant mineral in the body?
calcium
99% in bones
What is calcium regulated by?
PTH
vitamin D
calcitonin
Magnesium - method of measurement
colorimetric methods
What anticoagulant/additives should be avoided when collecting a specimen for calcium? Why?
all except heparin
-they bind calcium
Calcium (total) - method of measurement
Colorimetric methods
What is the biologically active form of calcium and a better indicator of calcium status?
ionized (free) calcium
Calcium (ionized) - method of measurement
ISE
What factors affect the results of calcium measurement?
pH
temp
Phosphorus, inorganic (phosphate) - reference range
2.5-4.5 mg/dL
Phosphorus, inorganic (phosphate) - clinical significance - increased
renal disease
hypoparathyroidism
Phosphorus, inorganic (phosphate) - clinical significance - decreased
hyperparathyroidism
vitamin D deficiency
renal tubular acidosis
What is the major extracellular anion?
Phosphorus
Where in the body is most phosphorus located?
bones
Function of phosphorus
component of nucleic acids and many coenzymes
important reservoir of energy (ATP)
Phosphorus results are a limited value alone. What should results be correlated with?
calcium
(normally a reciprocal relationship)
True or False. Phosphorus is higher in children than adults.
True
Which anticoagulants/additives interfere with phosphorus results?
citrate
oxalate
EDTA
Is phosphorus higher in RBCs or plasma?
RBCs
Does hemolysis affect phosphorus results?
yes
Lactate (lactic acid) - reference range
4.5-19.8 mg/dL
Lactate (lactic acid) - clinical significance
sign of decreased O2 to tissues
What is lactate (lactic acid) a byproduct of?
anaerobic metabolism
Lactate (lactic acid) - collection considerations
Best NOT to use a tourniquet.
Patient should not make a fist.
Collect in heparin & put on ice OR use fluoride to inhibit glycolysis.
Lactate (lactic acid) - method of measurement
enzymatic methods
Iron - reference range
Males: 65-175 mcg/dL
Females: 50-170 mcg/dL
Iron- clinical significance - increased
iron overdose
hemochromatosis
sideroblastic anemia
hemolytic anemia
liver disease
Iron - clinical significance - decreased
iron deficiency anemia
What analyte is necessary for hemoglobin synthesis?
Iron
How is iron transported in the body?
by transferrin
Does hemolysis interfere with iron testing?
yes
Which anticoagulants/additives should be avoided when collecting a specimen for iron? Why?
Oxalate, citrate, EDTA
-they bind iron
Why is an early morning specimen preferred for iron testing?
because of diurnal variation
Iron - method of measurement
Colorimetric methods
Total iron binding capacity (TIBC) - reference range
250-425 mcg/dL
Total iron binding capacity (TIBC) - clinical significance - increased
iron deficiency anemia
Total iron binding capacity (TIBC) - clinical significance - decreased
iron overdose
hemochromatosis
Total iron binding capacity (TIBC) - method of measurement
Iron is added to saturate transferrin. The excess is removed. Then iron content is determined.
% saturation or transferrin saturation - reference range
20-50%
% saturation or transferrin saturation - clinical significance - increased
iron overdose
hemochromatosis
sideroblastic anemia
% saturation or transferrin saturation - clinical significance - decreased
iron deficiency anemia