lecture 1 - introduction Flashcards
what is clinical biochem
the clinical science of examining blood and other fluids to diagnose
and monitor disease and inform therapy.
What is laboratory medicine
includes Clinical Biochemistry and other laboratory based scientific disciplines such as immunology, microbiology, haematology and genetics that underpin the diagnosis, management and cure of diseases and other medical conditions.
what is the “normal range”
Defines the values of a biochemical test found in healthy subjects against which patient values
can be compared.
what are facts about the normal range
its an artificial concept - no clear boundaries exist
another term - “reference interval”
what are factors that affect reference range
age
gender
diet
pregnancy
weight
time of day
menstrual cycle
hormones
time of year
how are biochemical results expressed
millimole - mmol - x10-3 (of a mole)
micromole - umol - x10-6
nanomole - nmol - x10-9
pico mole - pmol - x10-12
femto mol - fmol - x10-15
what is sensitivity
patients with disease correctly identified by the test
what is specificity
people without disease correctly identified buy the test
what is prevalence
pre test probability of disease (how common)
what are the three types of clinical labs
core lab facility
special chemistry
point of care testing
facts about the core lab facility
found in most big hospitals
open 24/7
highly automated environment
facts about the special chemistry lab
generally lower volume tests
not usually automated
(demand is not there)
high cost of equipment /more training required
what are the analytical methods of special chemistry labs
electrophoresis
HPLC
infrared spectroscopy
chromatography mass spectroscopy
what are facts about point of care testing
tests of urgent importance
results affect immediate management
bedside performed test
what are some examples of point care testing
blood glucose
urinalysis
extrolytes
cardiac markers (troponin 1 and T)
drug screens
