Quality Control in Clinical Chemistry

A method to monitor and maintain the accuracy of lab tests using control samples and charts.

Comparing lab results with other labs to evaluate the accuracy of the analytical process.

Using known standards to adjust instruments to measure precisely and accurately.

Visual tools to track QC data over time, detecting trends or unexpected shifts in performance.

Following rules and standards (e.g., CLSI, CAP) to ensure quality and safety of lab tests.

Measures how much light a sample absorbs at particular wavelengths.

Separates compounds based on their interactions with a stationary and mobile phase.

Separates charged particles in an electrical field based on size and charge.

Measures the mass-to-charge ratio of ions to identify and quantify molecules.

Detects and quantifies substances using antigen-antibody reactions.

The study of chemical processes and substances in the body, focusing on analyzing bodily fluids (like blood and urine) to diagnose and manage diseases.

A set of laboratory tests measuring blood components, assessing kidney function, electrolyte balance, and glucose levels.

Minerals (like sodium, potassium, chloride) in the body's fluids that are essential for proper function.

Substances produced in body's chemical processes involved in energy, building, and breaking down.

A group of blood tests that assess the health of the liver.

Biochemical processes for lipid synthesis, degradation, and regulation in the body.

Conversion of excess carbohydrates and proteins into fatty acids.

Process of splitting triglycerides into glycerol and fatty acids.

Converting free fatty acids into acetyl-CoA for energy.

Structures that transport lipids in the bloodstream.

A group of diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels.

Damage to the major blood vessels of the heart, often due to plaque buildup.

Part of heart muscle deprived of oxygen, due to blocked blood flow.

Pressure, squeezing, or aching pain in the chest, possibly radiating to other parts of the body.

The heart's inability to pump blood effectively.

A group of diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels.

Damage to the heart's major blood vessels, often due to plaque buildup.

Part of the heart muscle deprived of oxygen due to blocked blood flow.

Pressure, squeezing, or aching pain in the chest, that may radiate to other body parts.

The heart's inability to pump blood effectively to meet the body’s needs.

The body's regulation of the concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) to maintain a stable pH.

The control of the balance of minerals with an electric charge (like sodium and potassium) in body fluids.

A medical condition where the pH of the body fluids is too low.

A medical condition where the pH of the body fluids is too high.

Minerals in body fluids that carry an electrical charge, vital for bodily functions.

The body's regulation of hydrogen ion (H⁺) concentration to maintain a stable pH.

The control of essential minerals with charges (e.g., sodium, potassium) in body fluids.

Body fluid pH is too low.

Body fluid pH is too high.

Minerals in bodily fluids with an electrical charge, essential for function.

Body loses more fluid than it takes in, causing electrolyte imbalance.

High levels of sodium in the blood (above 145 mEq/L).

Insufficient fluid intake, excessive sweating, diabetes insipidus, osmotic diuresis, diarrhea, vomiting, burns.

Consuming excessive amounts of sodium (salt tablets, hypertonic saline).

Elderly individuals are more prone to hypernatremia due to insufficient water intake.

Losing more fluid than you take in, leading to an imbalance of electrolytes.

High sodium levels in the blood (above 145 mEq/L), often caused by loss of water.

Insufficient fluid intake, excessive sweating, diabetes insipidus, increased urination due to high blood sugar, diarrhea, vomiting, burns

Consuming more sodium than the body needs, like salt tablets or hypertonic saline solutions

Elderly individuals are more prone to hypernatremia due to decreased thirst sensation

Proteins found in blood plasma, crucial for maintaining bodily functions and homeostasis.

The most abundant plasma protein, maintaining blood pressure and transporting substances.

A group of plasma proteins that are not albumin, performing diverse functions like immunity and transport.

A globulin preventing tissue damage by inhibiting enzymes like neutrophil elastase.

A beta-globulin that transports iron in the bloodstream crucial for oxygen transport.

Medical conditions affecting the digestive tract and related organs, causing symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, and changes in bowel habits.

Chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, including conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Type of IBD affecting any part of the digestive tract, characterized by transmural inflammation.

Functional GI disorder marked by abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits (diarrhea or constipation), and often associated with stress or other factors.

Chronic upper abdominal pain or discomfort not attributable to a specific disease or structural issue.

Medical conditions impacting the digestive system (esophagus, stomach, intestines, etc.), causing symptoms like pain, nausea, and changes in bowel habits.

Chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, including Crohn's and ulcerative colitis; symptoms can vary.

Type of IBD affecting any part of the digestive tract, often with transmural inflammation (inflammation across the entire intestinal wall).

Functional GI disorder causing abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits (diarrhea or constipation), and often linked to stress or other factors, but no structural damage.

Chronic upper abdominal pain or discomfort that can't be explained by a specific disease or structural issue.

Conditions affecting the pancreas, affecting its digestive enzyme or hormone production, or causing structural changes, impacting digestion, glucose regulation, and overall health.

Sudden inflammation of the pancreas, often caused by gallstones, alcohol, or trauma, causing severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and high pancreatic enzymes.

Long-term inflammation of the pancreas, commonly caused by chronic alcohol use or genetics, resulting in permanent damage, persistent pain, weight loss, and fatty stools.

Malignancy of the pancreas often diagnosed late due to silent early stages, associated with potentially fatal consequences.

A group of conditions causing inflammation in the pancreas, encompassing acute and chronic forms, often due to gallstones, alcohol misuse, medications, or injuries.

Any condition that impairs the liver's normal function.

Sudden liver inflammation, often from viruses or toxins.

Progressive liver scarring due to chronic damage.

Fat buildup in the liver, not related to alcohol.

Most common primary liver cancer, often linked to cirrhosis.

Vitamins that dissolve in water and are not stored in the body. They need to be regularly consumed in the diet.

A water-soluble vitamin crucial for energy metabolism and nerve function.

The causes of vitamin deficiencies, ranging from inadequate diet to malabsorption and increased needs.

Using blood tests, particularly the Complete Blood Count (CBC), to diagnose vitamin deficiencies,especially anemia.

Deficiencies in these vitamins can lead to megaloblastic anemia and neurological problems.

Enzymes are categorized by the type of reaction they catalyze.

These enzymes catalyze oxidation-reduction reactions where electrons are transferred between molecules.

Transfer functional groups from one molecule to another.

Enzyme found in high concentration in liver, bone, placenta, and intestines.

A condition indicated by high ALP activity, often related to liver blockage.

Lungs fail to remove enough CO2, causing its buildup in the blood.

Body accumulates acids or loses bicarbonate, lowering blood pH.

Lungs remove too much CO2, decreasing carbonic acid and raising blood pH.

Body has excess bicarbonate or loses acids, raising blood pH.

A medical condition characterized by blood pH dropping below normal.

Involves a combination of history, physical exam, and diagnostic tests to identify heart and blood vessel issues.

Records heart's electrical activity, helping detect ischemia, arrhythmias, or previous heart attacks.

Evaluates heart function under stress (physical or medication) to simulate exercise and detect issues.

Substances in the blood that indicate heart muscle damage, like troponins.

Uses ultrasound to create images of the heart, showing structure and function, including ejection fraction.

Substances in the blood that signal heart damage or stress, crucial for diagnosing and managing cardiovascular issues, especially acute coronary syndromes.

Proteins found in heart muscle. Elevated levels strongly indicate cardiac muscle injury, used to diagnose heart attacks.

A type of creatine kinase mostly found in heart muscle. Elevated levels suggest heart muscle damage.

A protein released from damaged muscle, including the heart, that shows early damage but isn't as specific a marker as troponins.

A hormone produced by the heart, elevated levels indicate heart failure.

A precursor to BNP also associated with heart failure but has a longer detection window than BNP.

Heart attack; part of the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen due to a blocked blood supply.

The heart's inability to pump blood effectively to meet the body's needs.

An inflammatory marker used to assess cardiovascular risk, not to diagnose conditions

An enzyme related to inflammation and atherosclerosis, used to assess cardiovascular disease risk, especially in those with stable heart disease.

An amino acid; elevated levels suggest increased heart disease risk

Subtypes of Inflammation marker (hs-CRP) and enzymes (Lp-PLA2) or amino acid (Homocysteine) used to evaluate the risk for future cardiovascular events.

Markers are used to estimate the risk of heart disease, and assess the extent of existing heart damage

Systematic process to detect abnormalities in lipid levels (cholesterol, triglycerides) and underlying causes.

Assessment of medical history (family history, lifestyle, personal medical issues) and physical examination for signs like xanthomas or arcus senilis.

A set of blood tests to measure lipid levels (cholesterol, triglycerides), lipoproteins, and apoproteins to determine risk.

Changes in diet (reduce saturated/trans fat, increase fiber, healthy fats), exercise, weight management, smoking cessation, and alcohol moderation to improve lipid profiles.

Medication use, like statins to lower LDL cholesterol, and fibrates to reduce triglycerides (and possibly increase HDL).

A blood test measuring total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.

Medication primarily used to lower LDL cholesterol.

Biochemical processes involved in the synthesis, breakdown, and regulation of lipids in the body.

Niacin can raise HDL cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

Drugs that lower LDL cholesterol by binding bile acids in the intestine.

Medications that significantly lower LDL cholesterol, often for patients with familial hypercholesterolemia or those not reaching targets with statins.

Prescription forms of omega-3 fatty acids lower triglyceride levels.

Ezetimibe reduces cholesterol absorption in the intestine, lowering LDL cholesterol.

Regular checks of lipid levels are crucial to monitor treatment effectiveness.

Medication adjustments are made based on lipid levels, side effects, and patient tolerance.

Regular evaluations of cardiovascular risk factors and overall health are important.