Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Urinalysis and Body Fluids 4214 > LAB EXAM 2: Body Fluids > Flashcards

LAB EXAM 2: Body Fluids Flashcards

1
Q

What are the three major types of body fluids?

A

 CSF (cerebrospinal, NOT cerebral spinal)
 Synovial
 Serous

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

The epithelial cell exterior of
choroid plexus is the…

A

“blood-brain barrier”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Produced constantly in brain choroid plexi (“plexuses”, capillary knots that protrude into brain ventricles).

A

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) is formed via both __________ and ___________ processes.

A

filtration, active transport

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

CSF flows over and around….

A

brain and spinal cord

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the total CSF volume in adults?

A

90-150 mL

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

CSF is produced at a rate of about _____mL/24 hours.

A

500

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the three major CSF functions?

A

 Supply nutrients
 Remove waste
 Act as mechanical barrier & cushion for brain & spinal cord

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

True or false:

All CSF tubes should be treated as highly infectious

A

True!!!

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

“lumbar puncture” is used to collect CSF fluid.
Between what lumbar vertebrae is the puncture done?

A

between 3rd & 4th, or
4th & 5th, lumbar vertebrae.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

CSF Specimen Collection:

Most hospitals usually collect _____ sterile tubes &
label them in the order withdrawn.

A

3

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

CSF Specimen Collection:

What is tube #1 used for?***

A

Chemistry & Serology (1st fluid withdrawn; contains skin plug, but this will get centrifuged & removed.)

C/S

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

CSF Specimen Collection:

What is tube #2 used for?***

A

for Micro. (middle of fluid withdrawal; less likely to have skin flora contaminants.)

M

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

CSF Specimen Collection:

What is tube #3 used for?***

A

Hematology (last of fluid withdrawn; least likely to have skin cell contamination.)

H

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

How quickly must CSF samples be processed?

A

Within 1 hour (STAT)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

If there is a 4th tube of CSF, what is it used for?

A

Gets frozen for extra testing that may be needed later on.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

How should Heme tubes be stored if not tested STAT?

A

refrigerate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

CSF cell counts MUST be done within ______ hour.

A

one, (One hr. is usual t.a.t. for fluid cell counts,
anyway.)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What temp should micro tubes be at for CSF?

A

room temp. and set up ASAP

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

_______ CSF tubes may be frozen after centrifugation.

A

Chem./Sero.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Why should you never discard leftover CSF fluid?

A

in case more tests are ordered!

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is the normal appearance of CSF?

A

“crystal clear & colorless”
(appearance must be described in report).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What does Xanthochromic mean?

A

ANY color of supernate
left AFTER centrifugation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What can be done to determine CSF supernatant color?

A

To see colors clearly, centrifuge a Hct capillary or other clear tube filled with CSF, then hold supernate up against a white background.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What could cause cloudy, milky, or turbid CSF?
May be due to ↑ protein, lipids, or WBCs!
26
What is the cause of clear pink or red Xanthochromia?
oxyHgb due to blood degradation (> 2 hrs. but < 2 d.) (The “2X2 rule”.)
27
What is the cause of orange xanthochromia?
 Heavy hemolysis (> 2 hrs. but < 2 d.), or  Carotenemia
28
What is the cause of yellow Xanthochromia?
 OxyHgb broken down to unconjugated bili. from:  Heavy, long-term (> 2 days) hemolysis, or  Kernicterus
29
What are the two possible causes of bloody or hemolyzed CSF specimens?
 Traumatic tap - inadvertent blood vessel trauma from puncture.  Intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage (ICH or SAH) - Must be differentiated from traumatic tap!
30
What can cause oily CSF samples?
radiographic contrast media
31
Blood evenly distributed throughout collection tubes. Traumatic Tap or Intracerebral Hemorrhage?
Intracerebral Hemorrhage***
32
Siderophages are highly indicative of?
Intracerebral Hemorrhage***
33
Traumatic Tap or Intracerebral Hemorrhage? Clear supernatant if recent, but: Xanthochromic supernatant if old! (Good clue but not specific!)
Intracerebral Hemorrhage
34
In tubercular meningitis, overnight CSF refrigeration may cause a “weblike pellicle” (scum) to form. This should NOT be confused with __________.
clotting
35
Traumatic Tap or Intracerebral Hemorrhage? Serum protein contamination may cause xanthochromic supernatant.
Traumatic Tap
36
Traumatic Tap or Intracerebral Hemorrhage? Uneven distribution of blood in collection tubes (heaviest in 1st, less in 2nd, etc.)
Traumatic Tap
37
Traumatic Tap or Intracerebral Hemorrhage? Sample often (but not always!) clotted (due to plasma fibrinogen contamination); may even have bloody streaks.
Traumatic Tap
38
Traumatic Tap or Intracerebral Hemorrhage? No blood clots
Intracerebral Hemorrhage
39
What are the causes of protein in CSF?
-Disorders of blood-brain barrier: Ex.: ↑ IgG within CNS = MS ↑ Bld. - brain barrier permeability = Guillain-Barre syndrome (rarer) -Old hemorrhage, lysed cells from traumatic tap -Traumatic tap
40
N. adult CSF = _____ WBCs/uL & ___ RBCs/uL.
0-5, 0
41
Why must numerical CSF counts be performed immediately?
danger of cell lysis! (40% of WBCs can disintegrate within 1st 2 hrs. following collection!)
42
Typical time limit for CSF analysis is within ____ hour.
1
43
What stain is used for CSF differential cell counts?
Wright-stained slide prepared from cytocentrifuge prep
44
What is the principle of Differential Cell Counts on CSF?
under slow centrifugal force, body fluid is driven through a cuvette outlet, such that cells are deposited as a monolayer button on slide, & excess fluid is absorbed by a filter card.
45
What are 2 advantages of Wright-stained slide prepared from cytocentrifuge prep?
 Minimizes cell distortion  Concentrates cells for counting
46
What should be done if CSF cell counts are low?
use hemacytometer for count, & report only #s of cell types seen.
47
CSF cell counts: Count _____ cells, classify & report as percentages
100
48
What prep can be done to cushion cells for CSF counts?
7% albumin can be added before cytocentrifugation. Take 22% BB albumin & dilute, then add 1 drop 7% albumin to 5 drops of specimen. This only works for CSF & serous fluids, NOT for synovial fluids!
49
CSF Cell counts: What cells are normal to be seen?
-few lymphs and monos -very rare segs IF it is a concentrated specimen
50
CSF counts: -N. adult CSF, majority WBCs = __________ -N. pedi. CSF, majority WBCs = __________
lymphs monos
51
Pleocytosis =
↑ #s of otherwise N. cells; an abnormal finding! Ex. lymphocytosis or monocytosis
52
What is the major clinical significance of lymphocytes in CSF?
-N. in small numbers -Lymphocytosis = viral, tubercular, fungal meningitides -Multiple sclerosis (but with leukopenia of < 25/uL, & only lymphs!) (can be plasma cells in this case)
53
What is the major clinical significance of neutrophils in CSF?
N. if very rare (conc. specimens) Neutrophilia = bacterial meningitis or early cases viral, tubercular or fungal meningitis Cerebral hemorrhage
54
What is the microscopic finding seen with neutrophils in CSF?
Granules may be less prominent than in p.b.
55
What is the microscopic finding of neutrophilia with cerebral hemorrhage?
Cells disintegrate rapidly
56
What is the major clinical significance of monocytes in CSF?
N. in small numbers. Monocytosis = chronic bacterial meningitis, viral, tubercular, & fungal meningitis, MS -Found mixed with lymphs
57
What is the clinical significance of eosinophils seen in CSF?
-Parasitic infections (Ex., Taenia solium) -Allergic reactions -Intracranial shunts
58
What is the clinical significance of plasma cells seen in CSF?
Multiple sclerosis (MS)*
59
What is the clinical significance of macrophages seen in CSF?
Viral & bacterial meningitides. Also, any RBCs in CSF from long-term cause
60
What are the microscopic findings with macrophages in CSF?
Erythrophages; siderophages in ICH
61
What is the clinical significance of blasts seen in CSF?
Acute leukemia Microscopic Findings: Lympho- or myeloblasts
62
What is the clinical significance of malignant cells in CSF?
Metastatic carcinoma / leukemia***
63
What are the microscopic findings with malignant cells?
Very large; 3-D clusters with fusing of cell borders, aberrant polyploid nuclei, cytoplasmic blebbing***
64
What are the microscopic findings with Ependymal &/or Choroidal cells?
Normal trauma, diagnostic procedures***
65
What are the microscopic findings with Ependymal &/or Choroidal cells?
Flattened 2-D sheets, clustered, with distinct nuclei & cell membranes***
66
What are the microscopic findings with budding yeast seen in CSF?
Cryptococcus neoformans has clear capsule surrounding it on India ink prep.
67
What is the clinical significance of nRBCs in CSF?
Bone marrow contamination from tap -NOT clinically significant!
68
Neutrophilia in CSF (WBCT in 1000s), think first of ?
Bacterial meningitis
69
Blast forms in CSF, think first of ?
Acute leukemia (secondarily, metastatic solid cancer)
70
 Lymphocytes in CSF (WBCT in 100s), think first of:
Viral meningitis; 2nd = TB meningitis; 3rd = fungal meningitis
71
Plasma cells in CSF, think first of ?
MS (Multiple Sclerosis)
72
Eos in CSF, think what 3 conditions ?
CNS involvement of parasites; 2nd = overwhelming allergic reactions; 3rd = intracranial shunts.
73
Normal body cavity lining cell characteristics...
 All lie in 1 plane  Hang together as a "sheet“  Have distinct cytoplasmic & nuclear margins ("fried egg" appearance)  May have vacuoles
74
***Malignant cell characteristics...
 3-D clumps  Indistinct nuclear & cytoplasmic margins  Bizarre, polyploid nuclei  ↑ mitotic forms  Large nucleoli  Blebbed cytoplasmic edges
75
body cavity lining cells are called __________ cells in all body fluids except in CSF!
mesothelial
76
-Supplies nutrients to cartilage  Acts as lubricant
Synovial Fluid
77
Produced by filtration of plasma across the synovial membrane, combined with secretion of a hyaluronate-lubricin complex from same membrane. (Hyaluronate is just the salt form of hyaluronic acid.)
Synovial Fluid
78
Synovial fluid has the same chemical composition as __________.
plasma
79
How are synovial fluid specimens obtained?
arthrocentesis
80
What are the four Major Categories of Joint Diseases?
-Noninflammatory -Inflammatory -septic -hemorrhagic
81
Example of non inflammatory joint disease?
Degenerative joint disorders (Ex., osteoarthritis)* -* Even though there is inflammation, it is 2o to degradation, not the 1o cause of the joint disorder!
82
What can cause inflammatory joint disease?
Immunologic or crystal problems (Ex., RA & SLE, gout & pseudogout)
83
What can cause hemorrhagic joint disease?
Traumatic injury, coagulation deficiencies
84
What is the normal appearance of synovial fluid?
 Appears clear & pale yellow  “Egg white" consistency (forms continuous "string" when poured!)  Viscosity is due to polymerization of hyaluronic acid (essential for proper joint lubrication.)
85
Why would synovial fluid viscosity be measured?
Unhealthy joints secrete malfunctioning hyaluronic acid (unable to polymerize), so viscosity ↓
86
Synovial Fluid: ____________ may be mixed in with fluid 1st in order to aid in handling. Also, coverslip can be rimmed with clear nail polish to prevent dehydration during examination.
Hyaluronidase
87
Synovial Fluid: Normal WBC count = _____ mononuclear cells/uL (lymphs, monos, macrophages, & a few synovial lining cells)
< 200 FYI: WBCT count may reach > 100,000 cells/uL in severe infection!
88
Synovial fluid: Segs should make up <___% of N. differential.
30
89
Why would a microscopic exam be done for crystals in synovial fluid?
to diagnose crystal-induced arthritis.
90
What are the three most common crystals causing arthritis?***
 Monosodium urate (MSU) (gout)  Ca pyrophosphate (CPPD) (= pseudogout)  Cholesterol (chronic effusions such as RA)
91
Synovial crystal: Large, needle-shaped crystals that may be inside OR outside cells.
 Monosodium urate (MSU) (gout)
92
Synovial crystal: Small rhombic-shaped or rod-shaped crystals, inside cells.
 Ca pyrophosphate (CPPD) (= pseudogout)
93
Synovial crystal:  Large, flat, extracellular notched plates
Cholesterol (chronic effusions such as RA)

Urinalysis and Body Fluids 4214 (14 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions