4- Intro to clinical pathology

Question 1

What is EDTA?

Answer 1

Calcium binding agent that is used as an anticoagulant

Question 2

What is serum?

Answer 2

Serum is the liquid that remains after the blood has clotted- so fibrinogen not present

Question 3

What is the anticoagulant fluoride oxalate used for?

Answer 3

Preserve glucose by preventing glycolysis

Question 4

What anticoagulant should be used for calcium measurements?

Answer 4

Citrate

Question 5

Why is it important to have a fill order (blood samples)?

Answer 5

Prevent contamination of chemistry samples with EDTA - gives false results of many factors calcium, pottasium…

Question 6

Describe the effects of haemolysis on lab test

Answer 6

Increases some compound/enzymes levels due to higher conc in RBC

Interferes determinations by colorimetry or by interfering in chemical interactions

Question 7

How to reduce likelihood of haemolysis occurring

Answer 7

Choose appropriate gauge needle
Never dispense blood sample through needle

Question 8

What is haemolysis

Answer 8

Where RBC bursts and releases its haemoglobin

Question 9

What is icterus?

Answer 9

Jaundice > Caused by hyperbilirubinemeia (high bilirubin in blood)

Question 10

Describe the effects of lipaemia on results

Answer 10

False results as light cannot pass through
Affects values of compounds in plasma/serum

Increase in total lipid, cholesterol

Question 11

define specificity

Answer 11

ability of a technique to measure one single analyte in a complex solution

Question 12

define precision

Answer 12

ability of a technique to give the same result for repeated measurements of the same specimen with the same technique

Question 13

define accuracy

Answer 13

ability of a technique to give the true value (usually unknown) of the analyte measured

Question 14

Define analytical range

Answer 14

interval between the lowest and highest concentrations that the technique can measure