Analytical Toxicology Quiz

What is the composition of saliva related to?

What is the recommended storage temperature for biological specimens prior to analysis?

What is the fluid derived from blood and interstitial fluid that resides within bones?

What is an advantage of using blood samples in toxicological analysis?

What information is required for general toxicological analysis?

Is it recommended to freeze whole blood instead of plasma or serum for analysis?

What is the primary focus of analytical toxicology?

What is essential for basic knowledge of analytical toxicology?

Which of the following is true about urine samples?

Why is good record keeping important in forensic toxicology?

What is the purpose of confirming positive results with GC-MS?

What is a hazard of manufacturing drugs?

What is the purpose of COSHH?

Analytical Toxicology

Concerned with detection, identification, and measurement of drugs and xenobiotics in biological specimens
Requires knowledge of clinical and forensic toxicology, clinical chemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics

Biological Specimens

Urine has lower drug metabolite concentrations compared to blood
Urine is the specimen of choice for employment immunoassay kits
Blood samples are advantageous due to high concentrations of many poisons

Sample Collection and Storage

Blood is collected into an anticoagulant, mixed, and frozen to lyse cells
Cord blood is obtained from the umbilical cord after birth and provides plasma only
Gastric aspirate is not a fatty fluid from bone marrow
Intraosseous fluid is derived from blood and interstitial fluid within bones
Saliva is a secretion of mucous glands in the mouth, unrelated to plasma composition
Bile is not a thin red fluid secreted by the liver
Nails or nail clippings can be used to assess exposure to drugs or heavy metals
Whole blood samples should be collected in a plastic tube if paraquat is suspected

General Toxicological Analysis

Requires information about emergency treatment received by the patient
Does not require details of the patient's past medical history or current medication
Biological specimens should be stored at 2–8ºC prior to analysis
Freezing whole blood is not recommended, instead, freeze plasma or serum for analysis

Test your knowledge of analytical toxicology, including the detection and measurement of xenobiotics and their metabolites, and its applications in clinical and forensic toxicology.