Podcast
Questions and Answers
What happens to hemoglobin when glucose molecules become attached to it?
What happens to hemoglobin when glucose molecules become attached to it?
What does the HbA1c test measure?
What does the HbA1c test measure?
Why might an ordering provider choose to order a hemoglobin A1c test for a patient?
Why might an ordering provider choose to order a hemoglobin A1c test for a patient?
What does an elevated HbA1c percentage indicate?
What does an elevated HbA1c percentage indicate?
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What happens to the HbA1c percentage with increased glucose circulating in the blood over time?
What happens to the HbA1c percentage with increased glucose circulating in the blood over time?
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How often does an average red blood cell live?
How often does an average red blood cell live?
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What must be completed prior to testing on the Alere Cholestech LDX System?
What must be completed prior to testing on the Alere Cholestech LDX System?
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Which statement about the capillary tube filling process is correct?
Which statement about the capillary tube filling process is correct?
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What must medical assistants do with lipid test results?
What must medical assistants do with lipid test results?
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How long does it typically take for results to print from the Alere Cholestech LDX printer?
How long does it typically take for results to print from the Alere Cholestech LDX printer?
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Where can quality control procedures for the Cholestech analyzer be found?
Where can quality control procedures for the Cholestech analyzer be found?
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What can alter lipid test results according to the text?
What can alter lipid test results according to the text?
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What is the primary purpose of a lipid panel?
What is the primary purpose of a lipid panel?
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Which lipoprotein is known as 'good cholesterol'?
Which lipoprotein is known as 'good cholesterol'?
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What does LDL cholesterol primarily transport throughout the body?
What does LDL cholesterol primarily transport throughout the body?
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What are chronically elevated LDL cholesterol levels commonly associated with?
What are chronically elevated LDL cholesterol levels commonly associated with?
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How is total cholesterol calculated in a lipid panel?
How is total cholesterol calculated in a lipid panel?
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What is the most numerous type of fat found in the body?
What is the most numerous type of fat found in the body?
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What does hypercholesterolemia refer to?
What does hypercholesterolemia refer to?
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What can elevated blood triglyceride levels be linked to?
What can elevated blood triglyceride levels be linked to?
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What does the HbA1c test reflect?
What does the HbA1c test reflect?
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When is the HbA1c test recommended?
When is the HbA1c test recommended?
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How is the HbA1c test specimen usually obtained?
How is the HbA1c test specimen usually obtained?
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Which equipment is used to perform laboratory testing for HbA1c in the lab described?
Which equipment is used to perform laboratory testing for HbA1c in the lab described?
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What must you ensure about the testing materials before conducting an HbA1c test?
What must you ensure about the testing materials before conducting an HbA1c test?
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What should you do if the HbA1c Analyzer device returns with an Error Code during testing?
What should you do if the HbA1c Analyzer device returns with an Error Code during testing?
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How should you handle the sampling device during the capillary puncture procedure?
How should you handle the sampling device during the capillary puncture procedure?
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"Medical Assistants are not to offer any diagnostic or interpretive statements regarding HbA1c test results" - Why is this statement important?
"Medical Assistants are not to offer any diagnostic or interpretive statements regarding HbA1c test results" - Why is this statement important?
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"Patients who have been diagnosed as diabetic will have a hemoglobin a1c level check every 3-6 months" - Why is this monitoring frequency important?
"Patients who have been diagnosed as diabetic will have a hemoglobin a1c level check every 3-6 months" - Why is this monitoring frequency important?
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"Many factors can alter results or interfere with testing, such as medical conditions, medications, lifestyle and environmental factors" - Why is this information crucial?
"Many factors can alter results or interfere with testing, such as medical conditions, medications, lifestyle and environmental factors" - Why is this information crucial?
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Study Notes
Hemoglobin and HbA1c Test
- When glucose molecules become attached to hemoglobin, it forms glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c).
- The HbA1c test measures the average amount of glucose attached to hemoglobin over the past 2-3 months.
- An ordering provider might choose to order a hemoglobin A1c test for a patient to diagnose and monitor diabetes, or to assess the effectiveness of diabetes treatment.
- An elevated HbA1c percentage indicates poor glucose control, and a higher percentage corresponds to a higher average glucose level.
- As glucose circulates in the blood for a longer time, more glucose molecules attach to hemoglobin, increasing the HbA1c percentage.
- Red blood cells, which contain hemoglobin, live for approximately 120 days.
Lipid Panel and Cholestech LDX System
- Before testing on the Alere Cholestech LDX System, the quality control procedures must be completed.
- When filling capillary tubes, the tubes should be filled from the bottom to the top to avoid introducing air bubbles.
- Medical assistants should record and report lipid test results accurately.
- It takes approximately 2 minutes for results to print from the Alere Cholestech LDX printer.
- Quality control procedures for the Cholestech analyzer can be found in the user manual.
- Lipid test results can be altered by factors such as medical conditions, medications, and lifestyle.
- The primary purpose of a lipid panel is to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is known as "good cholesterol."
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol primarily transports cholesterol from the liver to peripheral tissues.
- Chronically elevated LDL cholesterol levels are commonly associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
- Total cholesterol is calculated by adding HDL, LDL, and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels.
- Triglycerides are the most numerous type of fat found in the body.
- Hypercholesterolemia refers to high levels of cholesterol in the blood.
- Elevated blood triglyceride levels can be linked to increased cardiovascular risk.
HbA1c Test and Laboratory Procedures
- The HbA1c test reflects the average glucose level over the past 2-3 months.
- The HbA1c test is recommended for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes, and for assessing the effectiveness of diabetes treatment.
- The HbA1c test specimen is usually obtained through a capillary puncture.
- The Alere Cholestech LDX System is used to perform laboratory testing for HbA1c.
- Before conducting an HbA1c test, ensure that the testing materials are not expired and are stored properly.
- If the HbA1c Analyzer device returns an Error Code during testing, follow the troubleshooting guide to resolve the issue.
- During the capillary puncture procedure, handle the sampling device carefully to avoid contamination.
- Medical Assistants should not offer any diagnostic or interpretive statements regarding HbA1c test results to avoid misinterpretation.
- Patients with diabetes should have their hemoglobin A1c level checked every 3-6 months to monitor glucose control.
- Factors such as medical conditions, medications, lifestyle, and environmental factors can alter HbA1c test results or interfere with testing, making it crucial to consider these factors when interpreting results.
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Description
Test your knowledge of medical terminology, acronyms, and abbreviations commonly used by medical assistants. Understand concepts like HbA1c, POC, POCT, QC, RBC, and Lipid Panel Testing.