CC intro

Clinical Chemistry

A quantitative science that is concerned with measurement of amounts of biologically important substances in body fluids

Analyses

Biologically important substances in body fluids

E.g. Glucose, lipid, BUN, creatinine, BUA, proteins

AST

Serum Glutamic-Oxaloacetic Transaminase

AGT

Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase

Albumin

Main transport protein

Blood

the most common biologic fluid collected for clinical laboratory testing. It is usually down from a vein directly into an evacuated tube

Phlebotomy

The act of drawing a blood sample from a blood vessel

Venipuncture

The process obtaining blood from the vein

Urine

Next most common fluid

Cerebrospinal fluid

a clear, colorless fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It provides protection and cushioning for the central nervous system and helps maintain a stable chemical environment.

Amniotic fluid

Assess fetal lung maturity, congenital disease, nerolytic disease, genetic defect and gestational age

Synovial fluid

clear, pale yellow, viscous fluid found within the joint cavities. It is produced by the synovial membrane and functions primarily to lubricate joints, reduce friction, and provide nutrients to articular cartilage.

Pleural fluid

fluid from sac surrounding the lungs

Pericardial fluid

From the sac surrounding the heart

Periteneal fluid

Also called ascitic fluid

Saliva

a clear to slightly cloudy, watery biological fluid produced mainly by the salivary glands. It is composed primarily of water, electrolytes, mucus, proteins, enzymes, and other organic substances

Routine specimen

Ideally delivered to the laboratory within 45 minutes

Maximum time limit for serum or plasma separation is 2 hours after collection

Stat collection

Immediately

collected and analyze immediately

given the highest priority

Reference interval

A range that has been documented to reflect the results expected for healthy people