, TABLE OF CONTENTS
Module 1: Introduction to Clinical Chemistry 1
Lesson 1: Introduction.................................................................................................................................................................1
Lesson 2: Scope And Overview Of Clinical Chemistry .................................................................................................................1
Lesson 3: Importance Of Cc And The Role Of Mt In Cc ...............................................................................................................1
Lesson 4: Definition Of Terms Commonly Used In Cc .................................................................................................................2
Lesson 5: Agencies/Association That Issue Guidelines/Standards ...............................................................................................3
Lesson 6: Safety Precautions ......................................................................................................................................................3
Module 2: Laboratory Mathematics
Lesson 1: Unit Conversion .........................................................................................................................................................4
Lesson 2: Percent Solution.........................................................................................................................................................5
Lesson 3: Normality, Molarity, Molality ........................................................................................................................................5
Lesson 4: Dilution.......................................................................................................................................................................6
Lesson 5: Ph And Poh................................................................................................................................................................6
Lesson 6: Mnemonics ................................................................................................................................................................7
Module 3: Specimen Collection and Processing
Lesson 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................8
Lesson 2: General Methods Of Blood Collection .........................................................................................................................8
Lesson 3: Specimen Preservation And Anticoagulants.............................................................................................................. 11
Lesson 4: Other Body Fluids .................................................................................................................................................... 14
Lesson 5: Specimen Variables ................................................................................................................................................. 16
Module 4: Quality Management
Lesson 1: Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................. 17
Lesson 2: Definition Of Terms & Philosophy ............................................................................................................................. 17
Lesson 3: Total Quality Management........................................................................................................................................ 17
Lesson 4: Six Sigma And Lean Process ................................................................................................................................... 18
Lesson 5: Process Components Involved In Clinical Laboratory Testing ................................................................................... 18
Lesson 6: Quality Control ......................................................................................................................................................... 18
Lesson 7: Qc Measurements & Graphs .................................................................................................................................... 20
Module 5: Instrumentation
Lesson 1: Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................. 24
Lesson 2: Key Terms ............................................................................................................................................................... 24
Lesson 3: Instrumentations....................................................................................................................................................... 24
Lesson 4: Other Instruments .................................................................................................................................................... 29
Lesson 5: Automation............................................................................................................................................................... 30
Lesson 6: Point Of Care Testing (Poct)..................................................................................................................................... 30
Lesson 7: Current Trends ......................................................................................................................................................... 31
Lesson 8: Extra Information ...................................................................................................................................................... 31
Module 6: Carbohydrates
Lesson 1: Definition.................................................................................................................................................................. 33
Lesson 2: Classification Of Carbohyrates ................................................................................................................................. 33
Lesson 3: Glucose ................................................................................................................................................................... 34
Lesson 4: Regulation Of Carbohydrate Metabolism .................................................................................................................. 35
Lesson 5: Clinical Conditions.................................................................................................................................................... 36
Lesson 6: Inborn Errors Of Carbohydrate Metabolism ............................................................................................................... 39
Lesson 7: Specimen Considerations And Reference Range ..................................................................................................... 40
Module 7: Lipids and Lipoproteins
Lesson 1: Lipids ....................................................................................................................................................................... 41
Lesson 2: Lipoprotein ............................................................................................................................................................... 43
Lesson 3: Lipid Transport & Lipoprotein Metabolism ................................................................................................................. 44
Lesson 4: Disorder Associated With Lipids And Lipoproteins .................................................................................................... 45
Lesson 5: Fredrickson-Levy Classification ................................................................................................................................ 46
Module 8: Proteins
Lesson 1: Proteins ................................................................................................................................................................... 47
Lesson 2: Plasma Protein......................................................................................................................................................... 48
Lesson 3: Cardiac Protein ........................................................................................................................................................ 50
Lesson 4: Renal Protein ........................................................................................................................................................... 50
Lesson 5: Proteins In Body Fluids............................................................................................................................................. 51
Lesson 6: Aminoacidopathies ................................................................................................................................................... 51
Module 9: Non-Protein Nitrogenous Compounds and Kidney Function Tests
Lesson 1: Kidneys .................................................................................................................................................................... 53
Lesson 2: Non-Protein Nitrogenous Compounds ...................................................................................................................... 53
Lesson 3: Test For Glomerular Filtration Rate........................................................................................................................... 55
Module 10: Liver Function Tests
Lesson 1: Liver......................................................................................................................................................................... 57
Lesson 2: Test For Liver Synthetic Function ............................................................................................................................. 57
Lesson 3: Test For Conjugation And Excretion Function ........................................................................................................... 59
Lesson 4: Tests For Detoxification Function.............................................................................................................................. 60
FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY
, MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL CHEMISTRY 1
OUTLINE
A. OVERVIEW
I Introduction • area of pathology that is generally concerned with
A Uses of Testing in the Clinical Laboratory analysis of body fluids.
B Relationship between CC and Med Lab • It is a science, a service and an industry (renders patient
II Scope and Overview of Clinical Chemistry care).
A Overview of CC • facilitate the proper procedures of analytic process that
B Etiology of CC
yield accurate and precise information in aiding patient
C Scope
III Importance of CC and the role of MedTech in CC diagnosis and treatment.
A Importance of CC • achievement of reliable results; requires that the clinical
B Role of MedTech laboratory scientist be able to correctly use basic supplies
IV Definition of Terms commonly used in CC and equipment and possess an understanding of
V Agencies that issue Guidelines/Standards fundamental concepts critical to any analytic procedure.
A International • tackles units of measure, basic laboratory supplies, and
B Local
introductory laboratory mathematics, plus a brief
VI Safety Precautions
A NFPA Hazard Identification System discussion of specimen and even the collection of the
B Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) specimen.
C Disposal of Biohazardous Waste
B. ETIOLOGY OF CC
• “Clinical” -comes from the Greek word Kline
I. INTRODUCTION • Kline also means bed (dealing with patients, human body).
• The field of laboratory medicine includes clinical • Chemistry: the science that deals with the elements, their
chemistry and its traditional subdisciplines compounds, and the chemical structure and interactions of
o toxicology and drug monitoring, endocrine and organ matter.
function testing, and “biochemical” and “molecular” • It is a basic science (utilized chemistry = provides lab
genetics) result) and an applied science (diagnosis and treatment).
• and areas such as
o microbiology, hematology, hemostasis and
thrombosis, blood banking (transfusion medicine), C. SCOPE
immunology, and identity testing • Instrumentation, Automation, POCT, Quality Assurance,
Laboratory Safety
• Analytic Procedures (Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins,
A. USES OF TESTING IN THE CLINICAL
NPN, Electrolytes, Blood gases)
LABORATORY • Enzymology, Endocrinology, Pharmacology, Therapeutic
• Confirming a clinical suspicion (which could include Drug Monitoring, Toxicology, Tumor Markers
making a diagnosis)
• Excluding a diagnosis
o rules out possible diagnosis based on signs and III. IMPORTANCE OF CC AND THE ROLE OF MT IN
symptoms; if not with the result, physician may order CC
another test
• Assisting in selection, optimization, and monitoring o A. IMPORTANCE OF CLINICAL CHEMISTRY
treatment • Aid in patient diagnosis and treatment
• Providing a prognosis • Involved in the analysis of biochemical byproducts
o Possible outcomes/development of disease found in biological fluids, such as serum, plasma, or
o It may be good or poor urine, making purification and a
• Screening or disease in the absence of clinical signs or known exact composition of the material almost
symptoms impossible
• Establishing and monitoring the severity of a • Plays an important role through periodic measurements of
physiological disturbance. glycosylated hemoglobin and microalbumin and other
analytes.
B. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CC AND MED LAB
• Individuals working primarily in the area of clinical B. ROLE OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST IN CC
chemistry/biochemistry have developed tools and • Phlebotomist
methods that have become part of the fabric of o Laboratory technicians and technologists, and other
laboratory medicine beyond the clinical chemistry health care professionals, sometimes perform
laboratory. phlebotomy.
o Examples: o phlebotomists have been specifically trained in blood
▪ the theory and practice of reference intervals collection techniques and are employed primarily to
▪ the use of both (internal) quality control and collect blood specimens.
proficiency testing • Processing of samples
▪ the introduction of automation into the clinical o When samples arrive in the laboratory, the samples
laboratory are processed.
▪ concepts of diagnostic testing o The laboratory scientist must ascertain if the sample is
o From physician and patient perspectives, no distinction acceptable for further processing
is evident among these specialties ▪ unacceptable: Low hemolyzed, lipemic serum
o repertoire of more than one specialty will be called o Once processed, the laboratory scientist should note
upon when a clinical decision is made. the presence of any serum or plasma characteristic
o Examples of clinical scenarios that require tests such as hemolysis and icterus.
from multiple laboratory areas include: ▪ Machine do all the work
▪ diagnosis and management of many diseases ▪ Quality control is critical
▪ management to patients in intensive care. • Quality control of a laboratory
o Unknown sample: what you feed, the sample itself
II. SCOPE AND OVERVIEW OF CLINICAL o Known sample: quality control reagents (reference
range)
CHEMISTRY
FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY 1
, o QC in the laboratory involves the systematic • is the movement of particles from an area of
monitoring of analytic processes Diffusion higher concentration to one of lower
concentration.
▪ detect analytic errors that occur during analysis • is when a solvent is added to a solution,
and to ultimately prevent the reporting of incorrect Dilution
making it less concentrated.
patient test results • is when a chemical reaction breaks
o Monitoring of analytic methods is performed by: Dissociation
a compound into two or more parts.
• For example, NaCl dissociates into Na+ and
▪ assaying stable control materials and comparing Cl- in water.
their determined values with their expected values • is when a gas moves through an opening into
a low-pressure container (e.g., is drawn by a
vacuum).
IV. DEFINITION OF TERMS COMMONLY USED IN Effusion
• Effusion occurs more quickly than diffusion
CC because additional molecules aren't in the
• the amount of light that is absorbed by analyte way.
Absorbance in a solution; absorbance is directly • An electrolyte is an ionic compound that
proportional to the concentration of analyte. dissolves in water to produce ions, which can
• state of decrease of basic (alkali) compounds conduct electricity.
Acidosis and an accumulation of acid compounds in the Electrolyte • Strong electrolytes completely dissociate in
blood causing a decrease in pH. water
• ability of a test to obtain the known target value • weak electrolytes only partially dissociate or
Accuracy for a sample; an accurate test exhibits minimal break apart in water
bias and imprecision. • protein in the body that acts as a catalyst and
Enzyme
• An attractive force between substances or converts substrate to product.
particles that causes them to enter into and • a measure of the amount of enzyme catalytic
Affinity
remain in chemical combination, for example; Enzymatic activity found in a sample
the binding of antibody to antigen. activity • enzyme concentration is often expressed in
Aliquot • a measured portion of a sample terms of activity instead of quantitative units.
• state of excess of basic (alkali) compounds or • occurs in reversible reactions when the
Alkalosis loss of acidic compounds in the blood causing Equilibrium forward rate of the reaction is the same as the
an increase in pH. reverse rate of the reaction.
• is an organic acid that is the building block for • fluid which has leaked out of a tissue or
Amino acid Exudate capillary, usually in response to inflammation
proteins.
• substance that is being measured (e.g., or injury.
Analyte
glucose, sodium, cholesterol). • High Density Lipoprotein
• all procedures related to the testing of a • A lipoprotein particle found in blood that is
Analytical phase composed of a high proportion of protein with
sample for an analyte. HDL
• a spectrophotometric method in which the little triglyceride and cholesterol, and is
analyte is an element (e.g., Ca), and it absorbs associated with reduced risk of
light at a specific wavelength atherosclerosis.
Atomic absorption • hemolysis, icterus and lipemia; the most
• Decreases light intensity hitting a
photodetector corresponds to increased HIL common interferents found in blood
analyte concentrations. specimens.
• average affinity of a mixture of antibody to their • a chemical substance or compound having a
Avidity physical property that changes abruptly,
corresponding antigen. Indicator
• a laboratory grade water and other reagents usually color, near the endpoint or equivalence
are set up and tested as though it was another point of a chemical reaction.
Blank sample • assay that relies on an antigen-antibody
Immunoassay
• This checks for background interference from reaction.
reagents and allows for correction. Intracellular • component found inside the cell.
• A liquid that resists when an acid or base is • a potentiometric device used to selectively
Ion-selective
added measure individual electrolytes such as Na, K
electrode (ISE)
Buffer • A buffer consists and its conjugate base and Cl.
• An example of a buffer is acetic acid and • Low Density Lipoprotein
sodium acetate • Lipoprotein particle found in blood composed
• process of using calibrators (samples with LDL of protein, with little triglyceride and high
known analyte concentration) to construct a proportion of cholesterol, and is associated
Calibration with increased risk of developing
calibration curve used to quantitate analyte
concentration in unknown (patient) specimens. atherosclerosis.
• substance that accelerates a chemical • milky coloration of plasma caused by
Catalyst Lipemia increased lipid accumulation, usually
reaction, such as an enzyme in the body.
Cation • an ion carrying a positive charge. triglycerides.
• A cathode is the electrode which gains • the common analytes of cholesterol and
electrons or is reduced. Lipids triglycerides and related compounds such as
• In other words, it is where reduction occurs in free fatty acids and lipoproteins.
an electrochemical cell. Meniscus • the curved surface of a liquid.
• products of anabolism and catabolism;
analytes created by synthesis in the body (e.g.,
Metabolites
glucose, cholesterol) or breakdown (e.g.,
Cathode creatinine, urea).
• the basic measurement principle or technique
Method/
that is used in an analytical system to perform
methodology
a test.
• force that moves water or another solvent
Osmotic across a membrane separating a solution
pressure • Usually, the movement is from the lower to the
• higher concentration.
• is a process used to separate or concentrate
• measuring light intensity at various
Centrifugation materials suspended in a liquid medium by use Photometry
wavelengths.
of the centrifugal force.
• lipid deposits in arteries causing stenosis and
• amount of analyte measured in a sample Plaque
Concentration leading to cardiovascular disease.
expressed quantitatively (e.g., mg/dL, mmol/L).
• the clear, yellow fluid obtained when blood is
• a serum-based material with assigned target
drawn into a tube containing anticoagulant
values and acceptable ranges to evaluate the
Control
accuracy and reproducibility of a diagnostic
Plasma • the clotting factors have not been activated
assay. and a clot is not formed (usually a purple,
green or light blue tube).
• a reaction vessel (similar to a tube) used in
Cuvette
photometric analyzers. • all procedures related to specimen handling
Postanalytical
and result reporting after the analytical
• a drying agent or substance capable of phase
Desiccant (testing) phase.
absorbing moisture.
• all procedures related to specimen collection
• a sealed chamber in which samples can be Preanalytical phase
Desiccator and handling that precede the analytical
dried in the presence of a desiccant.
(testing) phase.
FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY 2
Module 1: Introduction to Clinical Chemistry 1
Lesson 1: Introduction.................................................................................................................................................................1
Lesson 2: Scope And Overview Of Clinical Chemistry .................................................................................................................1
Lesson 3: Importance Of Cc And The Role Of Mt In Cc ...............................................................................................................1
Lesson 4: Definition Of Terms Commonly Used In Cc .................................................................................................................2
Lesson 5: Agencies/Association That Issue Guidelines/Standards ...............................................................................................3
Lesson 6: Safety Precautions ......................................................................................................................................................3
Module 2: Laboratory Mathematics
Lesson 1: Unit Conversion .........................................................................................................................................................4
Lesson 2: Percent Solution.........................................................................................................................................................5
Lesson 3: Normality, Molarity, Molality ........................................................................................................................................5
Lesson 4: Dilution.......................................................................................................................................................................6
Lesson 5: Ph And Poh................................................................................................................................................................6
Lesson 6: Mnemonics ................................................................................................................................................................7
Module 3: Specimen Collection and Processing
Lesson 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................8
Lesson 2: General Methods Of Blood Collection .........................................................................................................................8
Lesson 3: Specimen Preservation And Anticoagulants.............................................................................................................. 11
Lesson 4: Other Body Fluids .................................................................................................................................................... 14
Lesson 5: Specimen Variables ................................................................................................................................................. 16
Module 4: Quality Management
Lesson 1: Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................. 17
Lesson 2: Definition Of Terms & Philosophy ............................................................................................................................. 17
Lesson 3: Total Quality Management........................................................................................................................................ 17
Lesson 4: Six Sigma And Lean Process ................................................................................................................................... 18
Lesson 5: Process Components Involved In Clinical Laboratory Testing ................................................................................... 18
Lesson 6: Quality Control ......................................................................................................................................................... 18
Lesson 7: Qc Measurements & Graphs .................................................................................................................................... 20
Module 5: Instrumentation
Lesson 1: Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................. 24
Lesson 2: Key Terms ............................................................................................................................................................... 24
Lesson 3: Instrumentations....................................................................................................................................................... 24
Lesson 4: Other Instruments .................................................................................................................................................... 29
Lesson 5: Automation............................................................................................................................................................... 30
Lesson 6: Point Of Care Testing (Poct)..................................................................................................................................... 30
Lesson 7: Current Trends ......................................................................................................................................................... 31
Lesson 8: Extra Information ...................................................................................................................................................... 31
Module 6: Carbohydrates
Lesson 1: Definition.................................................................................................................................................................. 33
Lesson 2: Classification Of Carbohyrates ................................................................................................................................. 33
Lesson 3: Glucose ................................................................................................................................................................... 34
Lesson 4: Regulation Of Carbohydrate Metabolism .................................................................................................................. 35
Lesson 5: Clinical Conditions.................................................................................................................................................... 36
Lesson 6: Inborn Errors Of Carbohydrate Metabolism ............................................................................................................... 39
Lesson 7: Specimen Considerations And Reference Range ..................................................................................................... 40
Module 7: Lipids and Lipoproteins
Lesson 1: Lipids ....................................................................................................................................................................... 41
Lesson 2: Lipoprotein ............................................................................................................................................................... 43
Lesson 3: Lipid Transport & Lipoprotein Metabolism ................................................................................................................. 44
Lesson 4: Disorder Associated With Lipids And Lipoproteins .................................................................................................... 45
Lesson 5: Fredrickson-Levy Classification ................................................................................................................................ 46
Module 8: Proteins
Lesson 1: Proteins ................................................................................................................................................................... 47
Lesson 2: Plasma Protein......................................................................................................................................................... 48
Lesson 3: Cardiac Protein ........................................................................................................................................................ 50
Lesson 4: Renal Protein ........................................................................................................................................................... 50
Lesson 5: Proteins In Body Fluids............................................................................................................................................. 51
Lesson 6: Aminoacidopathies ................................................................................................................................................... 51
Module 9: Non-Protein Nitrogenous Compounds and Kidney Function Tests
Lesson 1: Kidneys .................................................................................................................................................................... 53
Lesson 2: Non-Protein Nitrogenous Compounds ...................................................................................................................... 53
Lesson 3: Test For Glomerular Filtration Rate........................................................................................................................... 55
Module 10: Liver Function Tests
Lesson 1: Liver......................................................................................................................................................................... 57
Lesson 2: Test For Liver Synthetic Function ............................................................................................................................. 57
Lesson 3: Test For Conjugation And Excretion Function ........................................................................................................... 59
Lesson 4: Tests For Detoxification Function.............................................................................................................................. 60
FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY
, MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL CHEMISTRY 1
OUTLINE
A. OVERVIEW
I Introduction • area of pathology that is generally concerned with
A Uses of Testing in the Clinical Laboratory analysis of body fluids.
B Relationship between CC and Med Lab • It is a science, a service and an industry (renders patient
II Scope and Overview of Clinical Chemistry care).
A Overview of CC • facilitate the proper procedures of analytic process that
B Etiology of CC
yield accurate and precise information in aiding patient
C Scope
III Importance of CC and the role of MedTech in CC diagnosis and treatment.
A Importance of CC • achievement of reliable results; requires that the clinical
B Role of MedTech laboratory scientist be able to correctly use basic supplies
IV Definition of Terms commonly used in CC and equipment and possess an understanding of
V Agencies that issue Guidelines/Standards fundamental concepts critical to any analytic procedure.
A International • tackles units of measure, basic laboratory supplies, and
B Local
introductory laboratory mathematics, plus a brief
VI Safety Precautions
A NFPA Hazard Identification System discussion of specimen and even the collection of the
B Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) specimen.
C Disposal of Biohazardous Waste
B. ETIOLOGY OF CC
• “Clinical” -comes from the Greek word Kline
I. INTRODUCTION • Kline also means bed (dealing with patients, human body).
• The field of laboratory medicine includes clinical • Chemistry: the science that deals with the elements, their
chemistry and its traditional subdisciplines compounds, and the chemical structure and interactions of
o toxicology and drug monitoring, endocrine and organ matter.
function testing, and “biochemical” and “molecular” • It is a basic science (utilized chemistry = provides lab
genetics) result) and an applied science (diagnosis and treatment).
• and areas such as
o microbiology, hematology, hemostasis and
thrombosis, blood banking (transfusion medicine), C. SCOPE
immunology, and identity testing • Instrumentation, Automation, POCT, Quality Assurance,
Laboratory Safety
• Analytic Procedures (Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins,
A. USES OF TESTING IN THE CLINICAL
NPN, Electrolytes, Blood gases)
LABORATORY • Enzymology, Endocrinology, Pharmacology, Therapeutic
• Confirming a clinical suspicion (which could include Drug Monitoring, Toxicology, Tumor Markers
making a diagnosis)
• Excluding a diagnosis
o rules out possible diagnosis based on signs and III. IMPORTANCE OF CC AND THE ROLE OF MT IN
symptoms; if not with the result, physician may order CC
another test
• Assisting in selection, optimization, and monitoring o A. IMPORTANCE OF CLINICAL CHEMISTRY
treatment • Aid in patient diagnosis and treatment
• Providing a prognosis • Involved in the analysis of biochemical byproducts
o Possible outcomes/development of disease found in biological fluids, such as serum, plasma, or
o It may be good or poor urine, making purification and a
• Screening or disease in the absence of clinical signs or known exact composition of the material almost
symptoms impossible
• Establishing and monitoring the severity of a • Plays an important role through periodic measurements of
physiological disturbance. glycosylated hemoglobin and microalbumin and other
analytes.
B. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CC AND MED LAB
• Individuals working primarily in the area of clinical B. ROLE OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST IN CC
chemistry/biochemistry have developed tools and • Phlebotomist
methods that have become part of the fabric of o Laboratory technicians and technologists, and other
laboratory medicine beyond the clinical chemistry health care professionals, sometimes perform
laboratory. phlebotomy.
o Examples: o phlebotomists have been specifically trained in blood
▪ the theory and practice of reference intervals collection techniques and are employed primarily to
▪ the use of both (internal) quality control and collect blood specimens.
proficiency testing • Processing of samples
▪ the introduction of automation into the clinical o When samples arrive in the laboratory, the samples
laboratory are processed.
▪ concepts of diagnostic testing o The laboratory scientist must ascertain if the sample is
o From physician and patient perspectives, no distinction acceptable for further processing
is evident among these specialties ▪ unacceptable: Low hemolyzed, lipemic serum
o repertoire of more than one specialty will be called o Once processed, the laboratory scientist should note
upon when a clinical decision is made. the presence of any serum or plasma characteristic
o Examples of clinical scenarios that require tests such as hemolysis and icterus.
from multiple laboratory areas include: ▪ Machine do all the work
▪ diagnosis and management of many diseases ▪ Quality control is critical
▪ management to patients in intensive care. • Quality control of a laboratory
o Unknown sample: what you feed, the sample itself
II. SCOPE AND OVERVIEW OF CLINICAL o Known sample: quality control reagents (reference
range)
CHEMISTRY
FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY 1
, o QC in the laboratory involves the systematic • is the movement of particles from an area of
monitoring of analytic processes Diffusion higher concentration to one of lower
concentration.
▪ detect analytic errors that occur during analysis • is when a solvent is added to a solution,
and to ultimately prevent the reporting of incorrect Dilution
making it less concentrated.
patient test results • is when a chemical reaction breaks
o Monitoring of analytic methods is performed by: Dissociation
a compound into two or more parts.
• For example, NaCl dissociates into Na+ and
▪ assaying stable control materials and comparing Cl- in water.
their determined values with their expected values • is when a gas moves through an opening into
a low-pressure container (e.g., is drawn by a
vacuum).
IV. DEFINITION OF TERMS COMMONLY USED IN Effusion
• Effusion occurs more quickly than diffusion
CC because additional molecules aren't in the
• the amount of light that is absorbed by analyte way.
Absorbance in a solution; absorbance is directly • An electrolyte is an ionic compound that
proportional to the concentration of analyte. dissolves in water to produce ions, which can
• state of decrease of basic (alkali) compounds conduct electricity.
Acidosis and an accumulation of acid compounds in the Electrolyte • Strong electrolytes completely dissociate in
blood causing a decrease in pH. water
• ability of a test to obtain the known target value • weak electrolytes only partially dissociate or
Accuracy for a sample; an accurate test exhibits minimal break apart in water
bias and imprecision. • protein in the body that acts as a catalyst and
Enzyme
• An attractive force between substances or converts substrate to product.
particles that causes them to enter into and • a measure of the amount of enzyme catalytic
Affinity
remain in chemical combination, for example; Enzymatic activity found in a sample
the binding of antibody to antigen. activity • enzyme concentration is often expressed in
Aliquot • a measured portion of a sample terms of activity instead of quantitative units.
• state of excess of basic (alkali) compounds or • occurs in reversible reactions when the
Alkalosis loss of acidic compounds in the blood causing Equilibrium forward rate of the reaction is the same as the
an increase in pH. reverse rate of the reaction.
• is an organic acid that is the building block for • fluid which has leaked out of a tissue or
Amino acid Exudate capillary, usually in response to inflammation
proteins.
• substance that is being measured (e.g., or injury.
Analyte
glucose, sodium, cholesterol). • High Density Lipoprotein
• all procedures related to the testing of a • A lipoprotein particle found in blood that is
Analytical phase composed of a high proportion of protein with
sample for an analyte. HDL
• a spectrophotometric method in which the little triglyceride and cholesterol, and is
analyte is an element (e.g., Ca), and it absorbs associated with reduced risk of
light at a specific wavelength atherosclerosis.
Atomic absorption • hemolysis, icterus and lipemia; the most
• Decreases light intensity hitting a
photodetector corresponds to increased HIL common interferents found in blood
analyte concentrations. specimens.
• average affinity of a mixture of antibody to their • a chemical substance or compound having a
Avidity physical property that changes abruptly,
corresponding antigen. Indicator
• a laboratory grade water and other reagents usually color, near the endpoint or equivalence
are set up and tested as though it was another point of a chemical reaction.
Blank sample • assay that relies on an antigen-antibody
Immunoassay
• This checks for background interference from reaction.
reagents and allows for correction. Intracellular • component found inside the cell.
• A liquid that resists when an acid or base is • a potentiometric device used to selectively
Ion-selective
added measure individual electrolytes such as Na, K
electrode (ISE)
Buffer • A buffer consists and its conjugate base and Cl.
• An example of a buffer is acetic acid and • Low Density Lipoprotein
sodium acetate • Lipoprotein particle found in blood composed
• process of using calibrators (samples with LDL of protein, with little triglyceride and high
known analyte concentration) to construct a proportion of cholesterol, and is associated
Calibration with increased risk of developing
calibration curve used to quantitate analyte
concentration in unknown (patient) specimens. atherosclerosis.
• substance that accelerates a chemical • milky coloration of plasma caused by
Catalyst Lipemia increased lipid accumulation, usually
reaction, such as an enzyme in the body.
Cation • an ion carrying a positive charge. triglycerides.
• A cathode is the electrode which gains • the common analytes of cholesterol and
electrons or is reduced. Lipids triglycerides and related compounds such as
• In other words, it is where reduction occurs in free fatty acids and lipoproteins.
an electrochemical cell. Meniscus • the curved surface of a liquid.
• products of anabolism and catabolism;
analytes created by synthesis in the body (e.g.,
Metabolites
glucose, cholesterol) or breakdown (e.g.,
Cathode creatinine, urea).
• the basic measurement principle or technique
Method/
that is used in an analytical system to perform
methodology
a test.
• force that moves water or another solvent
Osmotic across a membrane separating a solution
pressure • Usually, the movement is from the lower to the
• higher concentration.
• is a process used to separate or concentrate
• measuring light intensity at various
Centrifugation materials suspended in a liquid medium by use Photometry
wavelengths.
of the centrifugal force.
• lipid deposits in arteries causing stenosis and
• amount of analyte measured in a sample Plaque
Concentration leading to cardiovascular disease.
expressed quantitatively (e.g., mg/dL, mmol/L).
• the clear, yellow fluid obtained when blood is
• a serum-based material with assigned target
drawn into a tube containing anticoagulant
values and acceptable ranges to evaluate the
Control
accuracy and reproducibility of a diagnostic
Plasma • the clotting factors have not been activated
assay. and a clot is not formed (usually a purple,
green or light blue tube).
• a reaction vessel (similar to a tube) used in
Cuvette
photometric analyzers. • all procedures related to specimen handling
Postanalytical
and result reporting after the analytical
• a drying agent or substance capable of phase
Desiccant (testing) phase.
absorbing moisture.
• all procedures related to specimen collection
• a sealed chamber in which samples can be Preanalytical phase
Desiccator and handling that precede the analytical
dried in the presence of a desiccant.
(testing) phase.
FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY 2
