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Questions and Answers
What happens to hemoglobin when glucose molecules become attached to it?
What does the HbA1c test measure?
Why might an ordering provider choose to order a hemoglobin A1c test for a patient?
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?
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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?
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Which statement about the capillary tube filling process is correct?
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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?
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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?
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What is the primary purpose of a lipid panel?
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Which lipoprotein is known as 'good cholesterol'?
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What does LDL cholesterol primarily transport throughout the body?
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What are chronically elevated LDL cholesterol levels commonly associated with?
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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?
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What does hypercholesterolemia refer to?
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What can elevated blood triglyceride levels be linked to?
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What does the HbA1c test reflect?
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When is the HbA1c test recommended?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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.