Clinical Chemistry - Lecture Notes Review (Prelim CC1 Week 1)

A set of 40 practice flashcards covering key concepts, terms, and definitions from the Clinical Chemistry lecture notes.

What is Clinical Chemistry?

A basic science using chemistry to study health and disease; applied science performing analyses on body fluids to aid in diagnosis and treatment.

What is the scope of Clinical Chemistry?

A broad and dynamic field focusing on analysis of body fluids to aid diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.

What is an Analyte?

A substance or chemical constituent that is being measured in a laboratory test (e.g., glucose, uric acid, creatinine).

What is a Biomarker?

A measurable indicator of some biological state or condition (disease, infection, or environmental exposure).

What is a Calibrator?

A solution with precisely known concentration of an analyte used to set the accuracy of an analytical instrument.

What is a Critical Value?

A test result that indicates a life-threatening situation and requires immediate notification to the physician.

What is an Enzyme?

A protein that acts as a biological catalyst, speeding up chemical reactions by lowering activation energy.

What is Centrifugation?

The process of separating components of a mixture by spinning them at high speed.

What is an Assay?

A laboratory procedure or test used to determine the presence or quantity of a substance.

What is Immunoassay?

A biochemical test that measures the concentration of a substance by using the specific binding of an antibody or antigen.

What is a Hormone?

A chemical messenger produced by endocrine glands that regulates specific physiological processes.

What does In Vitro mean?

Experiments or processes performed outside a living organism, typically in a test tube or laboratory setting.

What is a Metabolite?

A substance formed in or necessary for metabolism.

What is Plasma?

The liquid portion of unclotted blood, containing clotting factors.

What is Serum?

The liquid portion of blood after it has clotted, lacking clotting factors.

What is Spectrophotometry?

A method used to measure how much light a chemical substance absorbs by measuring the intensity of light as it passes through the solution.

What is Absorbance?

The amount of light absorbed by a sample at a given wavelength.

What is Transmittance?

The portion of light that passes through a sample.

What is a Reagent?

A substance or mixture used in a chemical reaction to detect, measure, or produce other substances.

What is Quality Control (QC)?

A system of checks used to ensure the accuracy and precision of laboratory test results.

What is Reference Range?

The range of values for a particular test considered normal in a given population.

What is Sample Collection and Preparation?

Proper handling of patient samples to ensure integrity.

What are Analytical Procedures?

Methods (e.g., spectrophotometry, immunoassay, electrophoresis, chromatography) used to measure specific analytes.

What is Quality Assurance?

Systematic actions and processes to ensure overall quality of the testing service.

What is Result Interpretation?

Correlating laboratory findings with clinical symptoms and other diagnostic information.

What is Automation and Technology in Clinical Chemistry?

Utilizing highly automated instruments capable of performing hundreds of tests per hour, improving efficiency and reducing errors.

What is Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM)?

Measuring drug levels in the blood to ensure therapeutic efficacy and avoid toxicity; considerations include peak effects and therapeutic window.

What is Toxicology?

Detecting and quantifying drugs of abuse, poisons, and environmental toxins.

What is Endocrinology?

Analyzing hormones to assess endocrine gland function and diagnose hormonal imbalances.

What is Oncology?

Using tumor markers to screen, diagnose, and monitor cancer.

What is Point-of-Care Testing (POCT)?

Performing rapid diagnostic tests outside the central laboratory, often at the patient’s bedside (e.g., glucometer).

What is Methodology and Instrumentation?

Developing and applying advanced analytical techniques and automated instruments.

What is Nutritional Status Assessment?

Evaluating vitamin and mineral levels to assess nutritional status.

What is Lipase?

An enzyme that hydrolyzes lipids, aiding digestion and measured in certain clinical tests.

What are Lipids and their components?

Biochemical substances including cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL (bad cholesterol), and HDL (good cholesterol).

What are Electrolytes?

Electrically charged minerals such as potassium (K), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca) essential for bodily functions.

Which method is most specific for measuring glucose?

Hexokinase-based method.

What is hCG?

Human chorionic gonadotropin, a biomarker for pregnancy.

What is Biopsy?

The gold standard diagnostic procedure for confirming cancer by examining tissue samples.

What is CA 15-3?

A tumor marker used to screen and monitor breast cancer.