Things to go over for Quiz # 2 (Lesson Content 4, 5 & 6 – 20 MCQ)

What is diabetes mellitus?

A metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period.

What does glucose do for our bodies? What is hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia? What happens when glucose is high and when glucose is low?

Glucose provides energy for body cells; hyperglycemia is high blood sugar, leading to symptoms like excessive thirst and urination; hypoglycemia is low blood sugar, causing weakness, shakiness, and confusion.

What are the two major hormones that maintain blood glucose concentrations in the normal range?

Insulin and glucagon.

What is the name given to the storage form of glucose?

Glycogen.

What is the difference between type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes mellitus?

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition resulting in insulin deficiency; Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance and often develops with age; gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy.

What are polyuria, glycosuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia?

Polyuria is excessive urination; glycosuria is glucose in the urine; polydipsia is excessive thirst; polyphagia is excessive hunger.

What does OGTT stand for? Explain the procedure. When does the timer start once the patient is given the drink? What is the routine about given to the patient to drink?

OGTT stands for Oral Glucose Tolerance Test; the patient drinks a glucose solution, and the timer starts immediately after consumption.

What is the two-hour postprandial glucose?

It is a blood glucose test performed two hours after a meal to assess how the body processes glucose.

In Canada, what unit is glucose measured in?

Millimoles per liter (mmol/L).

What is the name of the hormone that controls our high glucose levels after a meal?

Insulin.

What is glycosylated hemoglobin?

A form of hemoglobin that is chemically linked to glucose, used to measure long-term blood sugar levels.

What is photometry? – Does a HemoCue use this?

Photometry is a method of measuring how much light a substance absorbs; HemoCue does use this method.

What is the purpose of the lactose tolerance test?

To assess whether the small intestine produces enough lactase, the enzyme needed to break down lactose into glucose and galactose (which can be absorbed into the bloodstream).

To help diagnose lactase deficiency or malabsorption disorders.

What is the name of the hormone produced during pregnancy? What is the preferred specimen for pregnancy testing?

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG); the preferred specimen is urine.

What is a 72-hour stool specimen?

A collection of stool samples over 72 hours for diagnostic testing.

What is an occult blood specimen? Explain the FOBT test? What is it used to screen for? What is the reagent/developer used? What colour does it change to if it’s positive? Do you apply a thin or thick smear of stool on the window of the card?

An occult blood specimen detects hidden blood in stool; the FOBT test screens for colorectal cancer; developer is guaiac; positive results turn blue; a thin smear is applied.

What are the two types of FOBT tests available? (Guaiac test and the immunochemical test) - go over the advantages of each type.

Guaiac test detects heme; immunochemical test is more specific for human blood; the latter does not require dietary restrictions.

What are the tests for the Kidney (Renal) profile?

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN / Urea), Serum Creatinine, Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR), Electrolytes, Uric Acid, Calcium and Phosphate, Albumin (Serum & Urine Albumin/Creatinine Ratio)

What are the tests for the lipid profile?

Tests include total cholesterol, LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, and triglycerides

What are the tests for the cardiac profile?

blood tests like a lipid panel and cardiac enzyme tests, as well as imaging and electrical activity monitoring tests like electrocardiograms (ECG) and echocardiograms. 

What are the tests for the liver function?

A Liver Function Test (LFT) panel is a group of blood tests used to assess liver health, detect liver damage, and monitor liver disease or treatment effects.

Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT), Total Bilirubin, Direct (Conjugated) Bilirubin, Albumin, Total Protein, Prothrombin Time (PT) / INR

What are the tests for thyroid?

TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone), T4 (Thyroxine), T3 (Triiodothyronine), Thyroid Antibodies, Calcitonin, Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)

What type of urine specimen do you need for the creatinine test?

24-hour urine specimen.

For Cortisol, what type of specimen would you collect?

blood, urine, or saliva sample

Go over the collection for ammonia.

Blood is collected in a chilled tube and processed quickly to prevent ammonia levels from rising.

Go over the collection of bilirubin.

Bilirubin is collected in a protected container to prevent light exposure.

Can you use a green top tube containing sodium heparin for Na+ electrolyte testing?

No, a serum specimen tube (gray top) is preferred for Na+ testing.

What are some of the reasons that result in a hemolyzed sample?

Improper handling, using a small needle, or vigorous mixing.

What is photometry?

the measurement of the intensity of light absorbed or transmitted by a solution

What is Nephelometry? It is used to measure light scatter that is caused by?

It’s a technique used to measure the concentration of substances, like proteins or particles, in a solution by analyzing the amount of light scattered by those substances.

It is caused by particles suspended in a fluid or gas

What is flow cytometry?

A technique used to analyze the physical and chemical characteristics of cells or particles.

What is electrophoresis?

a technique that separates molecules based on their physical properties, primarily size and charge, using an electric field

What is spectrophotometry?

A technique used to measure the amount of light absorbed by a sample.