Clinical Chemistry

What is the primary function of a clinical chemistry lab?

To measure biochemical analytes in body fluids for screening, diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring.

Define analyte.

The substance being measured.

Define reagent.

Chemical that reacts with an analyte to produce a measurable signal.

Define standard.

Purified solution with a known concentration used as a reference.

What are controls?

Samples with known concentration ranges used to verify accuracy.

Define reference range.

Range of values covering 95% of healthy individuals.

What are diagnostic criteria?

Parameters used to define or classify a disease.

Quantitative vs. qualitative test?

Quantitative = number; Qualitative = presence/absence.

Most common specimen in Clinical Chemistry?

Serum.

What does the BMP test?

Electrolytes, glucose, and renal function.

What does the CMP include?

BMP + liver function tests.

What panel checks liver function?

Hepatic panel.

What panel checks kidney function?

Renal panel.

What does a lipid panel measure?

Cholesterol and triglycerides.

Main source of energy for most cells?

Glucose.

Insulin is released when blood glucose is…?

High.

Glucagon is released when blood glucose is…?

Low.

Four actions of insulin?

↑Glucose uptake, ↑Glycolysis, ↑Glycogenesis/Lipogenesis, ↓Glycogenolysis/Lipolysis.

Define diabetes mellitus.

Hyperglycemia caused by insulin deficiency or resistance.

Fasting glucose diagnostic for diabetes?.

>125 mg/dL.

Random glucose diagnostic for diabetes?

>200 mg/dL.

Most common cause of hypoglycemia?

Insulin overdose.

Hypoglycemia fasting level?

<70 mg/dL.

Formula for glucose concentration (absorbance)?

(Absₓ / Absₛ) × Concₛ.

Normal fasting glucose range?

70–100 mg/dL.