CH11 (Part 1) - Clinical Chemistry

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Define “Clinical Chemistry”

Basic science that utilizes the specialty of chemistry to study human beings in various stages of health and disease / Applied science when analyses are performed on body fluids or tissue specimens to provide important information for the diagnosis or treatment of disease

Define “Analyte“

The substance for which the analyses are performed

Define “Normal value“

The range of values for a given constituent in a healthy individual

Define “Clinical significance“

A consideration when interpreting the result of an analysis

What is the normal value for glucose?

70 - 99 mg/dL

If glucose value is <70, what condition might there be?

Hypoglycemia

If glucose value is >99, what condition might there be?

Hyperglycemia

If there is an organ problem or blockage…

…then there is deficient excretion.

If there is an organ problem (veins or arteries), lack of a specific enzyme, or a hormone/receptor problem…

…then there is a metabolic problem.

What must one know about Laboratory Safety?

• Safety equipment, PPE (goggles, coat, closed-toe shoes, gloves, long pants.

• Reagent preparation (required to know corrosivity)

• Lab math

What is Control in Quality Assurance?

A solution composed of several known constituents that can be run simultaneously with the test to check the accuracy of the results

What is Analytical Sensitivity in Quality Assurance?

The ability of an analytical method to measure the smallest concentration of the analyte of interest

What is Analytical Specificity in Quality Assurance?

The ability of an analytical method to measure only the analyte of interest

Define “Energy“

Radiant energy behaving as though is possessed in an electrical field and a magnetic field

Define “Wavelength“

The distance between two successive wave crests

How are wavelengths measured?

In nonometers (nm)

What are two characteristics of ultraviolet (UV) light?

Naturally carcinogenic (increases cancer risk)
Can mutate cells

Define “Frequency“

The rate at which something occurs or is repeated over a particular period of time or in a given sample

Where is the measurement point for frequency?

Above the peak in a wavelength

If the wave frequency is lower, then?

The wavelength is longer.

The wavelength is inversely correlated to?

Frequency and energy.

How long does a patient need to wait before having a (blood) specimen collected from them?

8-10 hours.

What is the prime first step in sample collection?

Proper patient identification.
Check their patient band or patient chart.

Before exiting a patient’s room, what must a med-tech have?

The patient’s full name and date of birth.

What is the lavender tube for?

Complete blood count

What is the red tube for?

Chemistry test

What are carbohydrates?

Hydrates or aldehyde or ketone derivatives based on the location of the CO functional group.

Reducing sugars vs. Non-reducing sugars. What is sucrose?

Non-reducing sugar

What is the only carbohydrate to be directly used for energy?

Glucose

What is the function of the pancreas?

Controls the metabolism of carbohydrates

What is the hormone responsible for the entry of glucose in the cell?

Insulin

What is the hormone responsible for increasing glucose?

Glucagon

Is Diabetes mellitus Type I dependent on insulin?

Yes, it is insulin dependent.

Is Diabetes mellitus Type II dependent on insulin?

No, it is non-insulin dependent.

What are the symptoms for diabetic patients?

• Frequent urination

• Blurry vision (high glucose concentration)

• Extreme thirst

• Nausea

• Dry skin

• Drowsiness

• Extreme hunger

What is polythabia?

Extreme hunger

What is polydipsia?

Extreme thirst

What is polyuria?

Frequent urination

What are lipids?

Primary sources of fuel
Provides stability to cell membrane and allow for transmembrane transport

What are lipoproteins?

Special transport mechanisms for circulation in the blood

What are some major lipids?

Phospholipids
Cholesterol
Triglycerides
Fatty acid
Fat soluble vitamins

What are proteins?

• Can bear positive and negative charges (amphoteric) due to their acid and basic amino acid compositions

• Can be both a weak base or acid

• Effective blood buffer

• Albumin (protein made by the liver)

Where does albumin have the highest concentration?

Serum

In the Kidney Function Test/Non-Protein Nitrogen, what kind of test is Uria?

Most sensitive test for kidney function; end product of amino acid

In the Kidney Function Test/Non-Protein Nitrogen, what kind of test is Creatinine?

Most specific test for kidney function; waste product formed in muscle tissue after energy production

What happens to RBCs after they die?

They are recycled by the liver.