Tests

Question 1

Name 5 circumstances where serum albumin might be decreased?

Answer 1

Liver disease
Diarrhoea/ poor diet
Iron deficiency
Infection

Question 2

Name 3 circumstances where bilirubin may be increased?

Answer 2

Obstructive jaundice- commonly gallstones
Liver disease
RBC damage

Question 3

How do you calculate globulin levels in the blood?

Answer 3

Total serum protein - albumin level

Question 4

What does raised/ lowered globulin indicate?

Answer 4

Raused= Infection/ inflammatory damage
Lowered= Malnutrition/ nephrotic syndrome

Question 5

What is creatinine and when are it’s levels altered?

Answer 5

A waste molecule from muscle metabolism

Raised if impared kidney function

Question 6

What is ALT and what do raised levels indicate?

Answer 6

Alanine transferase
Raised levels = liver problem
Levels > 1000u/L then always hepatitis

Question 7

What is AST and when are it’s levels raised?

Answer 7

Aspartate transferase

Raised levels= Liver/ heart/ muscle damage

Question 8

What is ALP and when can levels be raised?

Answer 8

Alkaline phosphatase
Slightly raised = Liver disease
Very raised = Bile duct blockage
Also raised when bone growth (adolescence)