Untitled Quiz

Carbohydrates

• Hypoglycemia in adults is defined as a fasting blood glucose of ≤70 mg/dL (≤3.0 mmol/L).
• Normal fasting blood glucose range is 70-105 mg/dL (3.9-6.1 mmol/L).
• 2-hour postprandial blood glucose may rise to 130-160 mg/dL (7.2-8.9 mmol/L) after a meal.
• CSF glucose values are typically 50-80 mg/dL (2.77-4.44 mmol/L).
• Glucose tolerance tests require a 3-day high-carbohydrate diet, or a 3-day low-carbohydrate diet, or fasting for 48 hours, or 3 days of bed rest, before the test.

Acid-Base Balance

• A patient in chronic renal failure may show a pattern of metabolic acidosis.
• Severe diarrhea causes metabolic acidosis.
• Normal pH for arterial blood is 7.35-7.45
• Ratio of bicarbonate to carbonic acid at pH 7.4 is 20:1.

Electrolytes

• The most important buffer pair in plasma is bicarbonate/carbonic acid.
• Sodium is the primary cation maintaining osmotic pressure in plasma.

Proteins

• Albumin is the major serum protein that maintains colloidal osmotic pressure.
• Electrophoresis at pH 8.6 separates serum proteins by charge, with albumin migrating fastest.
• CSF shows an elevated gamma globulin fraction when there is inflammation.

Enzymes

• Amylase and lipase are the enzymes primarily used in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.
• Creatine kinase (CK) is the first enzyme to elevate during myocardial infarction.
• Serum amylase and urine amylase are elevated with macroamylasemia.

Lipids & Lipoproteins

• HDL-cholesterol is the most desired lipoprotein level, and in elevated levels, it shows a decreased risk of accelerated atherosclerosis.
• Triglycerides are the most sensitive enzymatic indicator for liver damage after ingesting ethanol.
• Elevated LDL cholesterol is associated with premature atherosclerosis.

Endocrinology and Tumor Markers

• TSH is produced by the pituitary gland.
• Primary hypothyroidism is indicated by elevated TSH and decreased free T4.
• Serum phosphorus concentrations are regulated by the parathyroid glands.
• Elevated serum calcium is most likely to be associated with hyperparathyroidism.
• A low serum phosphorus is most likely associated with chronic renal disease or carbohydrate hyperalimentation.

TDM & Toxicology

• Blood specimens for digoxin assays should be obtained at least 8 hours after ingestion to achieve steady state levels.