Questions and Answers
What is one of the purposes of laboratorians in clinical pathology?
What is the systematic study of biochemical processes associated with health and disease?
Malfunction of a cell is always caused by a single factor.
False
What is another name for Point-of-Care Testing (POCT)?
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Name a substance normally present in serum with a function in the circulation.
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Elevated levels of blood ________ are greatly associated with tissue injury.
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Electrochemical methods are ideal for the measurement of which of the following?
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What does “STAT” mean in a laboratory request?
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Match the types of glassware with their characteristics:
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What is a primary purpose of laboratorians in clinical pathology?
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Which factor is NOT associated with the malfunction of a cell?
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Which category does the measurement of electrolytes in serum fall under?
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In which settings is Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) primarily utilized?
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What type of analytical measurement is often utilized in clinical chemistry to elucidate biochemical processes?
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Which type of glass is specifically known for its resistance to heat shock and can withstand temperatures up to 900°C?
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What is a primary characteristic of Corex glass compared to borosilicate glass?
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Which type of glass is typically recommended for high-precision analytical work due to its high silica content?
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What is a defining feature of low actinic glass that makes it suitable for certain laboratory applications?
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Which type of glass exhibits the least thermal resistance and is commonly used for reagent bottles?
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Study Notes
Purpose & Function of Laboratorians
- Assist clinicians in confirming or rejecting diagnoses.
- Provide guidelines for patient management.
- Establish prognosis for patients.
- Detect diseases through case finding or screening.
- Monitor follow-up therapy effectively.
Clinical Chemistry Overview
- Systematic study of biochemical processes related to health and disease.
- Measurement of constituents in body fluids or tissues aids in disease diagnosis.
Scope of Clinical Chemistry
- Encompasses areas such as biochemistry, pharmacology, endocrinology, and toxicology.
- Utilizes instrumentation and computer technology for biochemical analysis.
Cellular Malfunction Causes
- Trauma or invasive agent destruction.
- Genetic enzyme deficiencies.
- Insufficient essential nutrient supply.
- Lack of adequate blood or oxygen supply.
- Malignancy and waste product accumulation.
- Control system failures and defects in cellular signal recognition.
Point-of-Care Testing (POCT)
- Also referred to as near-patient, alternate-site, or patient-focused testing.
- Implemented in various settings: emergency departments, operating suites, clinics, and nursing homes.
- Addresses urgent patient care needs with portable chemistry analyzers and testing devices.
Serum Substance Categories
- Functioning Substances: Glucose, electrolytes, total protein, triglycerides, cholesterol, hormones, vitamins, and individual proteins.
- Metabolites: Urea, ammonia, creatinine, bilirubin, and uric acid as waste products.
- Damaged Cell Releases: Enzymes (e.g., LD, ALT, AST) and ferritin from cell damage or abnormal proliferation.
- Drugs and Toxins: Includes therapeutic drugs, substances of abuse, and poisons.
Laboratory Tests Types
- Chemical Tests: Direct or indirect, colorimetric, redox, and titrimetric methods.
- Enzymatic Tests: One-step or multi-step with NADH consumption measurement.
- Electrochemical Tests: Measurement of activity rather than concentration.
Lab Requests Priority
- STAT Requests: Immediate needs with turnaround time (TAT) of less than 1 hour.
- Priority Requests: Important for clinical decisions, TAT typically under 2 hours.
- Routine Requests: Non-urgent tests, generally taking 4-6 hours.
Glass and Plastic Ware Comparison
- Glassware: Breakable, reusable, excellent for acidic solutions, high thermal resistance, and low cost.
- Plasticware: Shock-proof, disposable, ideal for alkaline solutions, and flexible for cryogenic experiments.
General Types of Glass
- High Thermal Resistant Glass: Borosilicate glass, resists heat and corrosion, used for items like Pyrex and Kimax.
- Corex Glass: Six times stronger than borosilicate, good at resisting clouding and scratches, suitable for thermometers.
Purpose & Function of Laboratorians
- Assist clinicians in confirming or rejecting diagnoses.
- Provide guidelines for patient management.
- Establish prognosis for diseases.
- Detect diseases through case finding and screening.
- Monitor therapy during follow-up.
Clinical Chemistry Overview
- Involves studying biochemical processes linked to health and disease.
- Measures constituents in body fluids or tissues.
- Aims to facilitate disease diagnosis.
- Interdisciplinary scope includes biochemistry, pharmacology, endocrinology, immunology, toxicology, and analytical chemistry.
Malfunctions in Cells
- Easier to detect malfunctions than to determine specific causes.
- Malfunction factors include trauma, genetic enzyme deficiencies, nutrient shortages, inadequate blood or oxygen supply, malignancy, waste product accumulation, control system failures, and cellular recognition defects.
Point-of-Care Testing (POCT)
- Also known as near-patient or alternate-site testing.
- Utilized in emergency departments, operating suites, clinics, and nursing homes.
- Addresses acute patient needs with portable analyzers.
- Common devices: glucometers, hemoglobin meters, and coagulation testing instruments.
Serum Substances Measured
- Normal constituents: glucose, electrolytes, proteins (such as albumin and hormones), lipids (like triglycerides and cholesterol), and vitamins.
- Metabolites considered non-functional waste: urea, creatinine, bilirubin, uric acid, ammonia.
Types of Laboratory Glass
- Borosilicate Glass: Low alkali content, heat resistant, examples include Pyrex and Kimax.
- Corex: 6 times stronger than borosilicate, more resistant to scratching.
- Vycor: Used in high-temperature applications can withstand 900°C and sudden heat shocks.
- High Silica Glass: 96% silica, suitable for high precision analytical work.
- Low Actinic Glass: Amber/red-tinted to protect light-sensitive substances.
- Standard Flint Glass: Basic soda-lime glass; lower thermal resistance.
Plasticwares Overview
- Polyolefins (Polyethylene, Polypropylene): Chemically resistant to many acids, suitable for disposable wares but not as resistant in extreme conditions as other types.
- Polycarbonate Resin: Strong, glass-clear, suitable for certain laboratory applications but not with bases.
- Tygon: Flexible and nontoxic, ideal for tubing in chemical applications.
- Teflon Fluorocarbon Resins: Highly inert, suited for a wide range of temperatures and chemical exposures.
Pipets Types
- Volumetric/Transfer Pipet: Delivers fixed liquid volume for accurate measurements.
- Ostwald-Folin Pipet: Designed for viscous fluids with a blowout capability.
- Graduated/Measuring Pipets: Available in Mohr (calibrated between marks) and Serological (blown out for complete delivery).
Chemicals in Clinical Chemistry
- Analytical Grade Chemicals: High purity, labeled as Analytical Reagent (AR) or ACS, used in sophisticated analytical procedures.
- USP and NF Grade Chemicals: Not pure enough for analytical work, used in drug production.
- Primary Standards (PS): Highest purity chemicals for precise concentration measurements (99.98% pure).
- Secondary Standards: Lower purity substances compared to primary standards.
Certification and Standards
- Volumetric pipets and flasks must be certified as Class A per CAP requirements.
- IUPAC regards Grade A as atomic weight standards and Grade B as ultimate standards, contributing to the purity and quality control in laboratory protocols.
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Description
Explore the essential role of laboratorians in clinical chemistry and pathology. This quiz covers the functions of laboratory tests in diagnosing diseases, managing patient care, and monitoring treatment effectiveness. Test your knowledge on the systematic study of biochemical processes related to health and illness.
