ASCP Chemistry – Polansky Cards (2025/2026
Latest Exam Prep) | Complete Certification
Study Guide & Verified Practice Q&A
Diurnal variation ↑ in am: - correct answerACTH, cortisol, iron
Diurnal variation ↑ in pm: - correct answergrowth hormone, PTH, TSH
Day-to-day variation - correct answer≥ 20% for ALT, bili, CK, steroid hormones,
triglycerides
Alcohol causes what chemistry levels to fluctuate? - correct answer↓ glucose; ↑
triglycerides, GGT
Posture causes what chemistry levels to fluctuate? - correct answer↑ albumin,
cholesterol, Ca2+ when standing
Activity ↑ in ambulatory patients: - correct answercreatinine kinase (CK)
Activity ↑ with exercise: - correct answerK+, phosphate, lactic acid, creatinine, protein,
CK, AST, LD
Stress ↑ - correct answer↑ ACTH, cortisol, catecholamines
Chemical rxn produces colored substance that absorbs light of a specific wavelength. -
correct answerSpectrophotometry
Amount of light absorbed is directly proportional
to concentration of analyte. - correct answerSpectrophotometry
Components of Spectrophotometry:
Light source (tungsten lamp for -------range, deuterium lamp for ------), monochromator (-
----- ---grating), cuvette, photodetector, readout device - correct answerLight source
(tungsten lamp for visible range, deuterium lamp for UV), monochromator (diffraction
grating), cuvette, photodetector, readout device
A = - correct answerA = 2-log % T.
Measures light absorbed by ground-state atoms. - correct answerAtomic absorption
spectrophotometry
Components of AAS: Hollow -----lamp, atomizer,
,flame, mixing chamber, chopper, monochromator, detector, readout device - correct
answerComponents of AAS: Hollow cathode lamp, atomizer, flame, mixing chamber,
chopper, monochromator, detector, readout device
Hollow cathode lamp with cathode made of -----produces wavelength ----- for analyte.
Sensitive. - correct answerHollow cathode lamp with cathode made of analyte produces
wavelength specific for analyte. Sensitive
Used to measure trace metals. - correct answerAAS
Atoms absorb light of specific wavelength & emit light of longer wavelength (lower
energy) - correct answerFluorometry
Components of Fluorometry
Light source (mercury or ------arc lamp), primary monochromator, sample holder (-----
cuvettes),
secondary monochromator, detector, readout device - correct answerComponents of
Fluorometry
Light source (mercury or xenon arc lamp), primary monochromator, sample holder
(quartz cuvettes),
secondary monochromator, detector, readout device
Detector at 90º to light source so that only light emitted by sample is measured. More
sensitive
than colorimetry. - correct answerFluorometry detector at 90 degree to light source so
that only light emitted by sample is measured
Used to measure drugs, hormones. - correct answerFluorometry is used to measure
drugs, hormones
Chemical rxn that produces light.
Usually involves oxidation of luminol, acridinium
esters, or dioxetanes. - correct answerChemiluminescence
Components of Chemiluminescence:
Reagent probes, sample & --- cuvette, photomultiplier tube, read out device - correct
answerComponents of Chemiluminescence:
Reagent probes, sample & reagent
cuvette, photomultiplier tube,
readout device
Doesn't require excitation radiation or monochromators like fluorometry. Extremely
sensitive. - correct answerChemiluminescence doesn't require excitation radiation or
monochromators like fluorometry
,Used for immunoassays. - correct answerChemiluminescence is used for
immunoassays
Measures reduction in light transmission by particles in
suspension. - correct answerTurbidimetry
Similar to turbidity, but light is measured at angle from light source. - correct
answerNephelometry
Used to measure proteins in urine & CSF - correct answerTurbidimetry is used to
measure proteins in urine and CSF
Used to measure ag-ab rxn. - correct answerNephelometry is used to measure ag-ab
rxn
Screening test for drugs of abuse in urine
Substances identified by Rf value - correct answerThin-layer chromatography (TLC)
(distance traveled by compound/
distance traveled by solvent). - correct answerRf value
Separation of thermolabile compounds
Concentration determined by peak height ratio
(height of analyte peak/height of internal standard peak). - correct answerHigh-
performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
Separation of volatile compounds or compounds that
can be made volatile, e.g., therapeutic & toxic drugs
Compounds identified by retention time. Area of peak is proportional to concentration. -
correct answerGas chromatography (GC)
Potential difference between 2 electrodes
directly related to concentration of analyte. - correct answerIon-selective electrodes
Separation of charged particles in electrical
field. Anions move to positively charged
pole (anode); cations to negatively charged
pole (cathode). The greater the charge, the
faster the migration. - correct answerElectrophoresis
Reference Range: 70-99 mg/dL - correct answerFasting Glucose
Reference Range: Desirable: <200 mg/dL - correct answerTotal Cholesterol
, Limited value for predicting risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) by itself.
Used in conjunction with HDL & LDL cholesterol - correct answerTotal Cholesterol is a
limited value by it self for predicting CAD
Appears to be inversely related to CAD - correct answerHDL cholesterol appears to be
inversely related to CAD
Reference Range: Desirable: ≥ 60 mg/dL - correct answerHDL
Reference Range: Optimal: <100 mg/dL - correct answerLDL Cholesterol
Risk factor for CAD - correct answerLDL
Triglycerides
May be calculated from Friedewald formula (if
triglycerides not >400 mg/dL) or measured by direct homogeneous assays. - correct
answerLDL Cholesterol may be calculated by Friedwald formula
Main form of lipid storage. Enzymatic methods
using lipase. Requires fasting specimen. - correct answerTriglycerides is the main form
of lipid storage
Reference Range: Desirable: <150 mg/dL - correct answerTriglycerides
Reference Range6.4-8.3 g/dL - correct answerTotal protein
Reference Range3.5-5 g/dL - correct answerAlbumin
Reference Range: 50-200 mg/24 hr predictive of diabetic nephropathy - correct
answerMicroalbumin(on urine)
↑ dehydration, chronic inflammation,
multiple myeloma - correct answerIncrease in total protein
↓ nephrotic syndrome, malabsorption, overhydration, hepatic insufficiency, malnutrition,
agammaglobulinemia - correct answerDecrease in total protein
↑ dehydration - correct answerIncrease in total albumin
↓ malnutrition, liver disease, nephrotic syndrome, chronic inflammation - correct
answerDecrease in total albumin
Largest fraction of plasma proteins. Synthesized
by liver. Regulates osmotic pressure. Measure by
dye binding, e.g., bromocresol green (BCG),
Latest Exam Prep) | Complete Certification
Study Guide & Verified Practice Q&A
Diurnal variation ↑ in am: - correct answerACTH, cortisol, iron
Diurnal variation ↑ in pm: - correct answergrowth hormone, PTH, TSH
Day-to-day variation - correct answer≥ 20% for ALT, bili, CK, steroid hormones,
triglycerides
Alcohol causes what chemistry levels to fluctuate? - correct answer↓ glucose; ↑
triglycerides, GGT
Posture causes what chemistry levels to fluctuate? - correct answer↑ albumin,
cholesterol, Ca2+ when standing
Activity ↑ in ambulatory patients: - correct answercreatinine kinase (CK)
Activity ↑ with exercise: - correct answerK+, phosphate, lactic acid, creatinine, protein,
CK, AST, LD
Stress ↑ - correct answer↑ ACTH, cortisol, catecholamines
Chemical rxn produces colored substance that absorbs light of a specific wavelength. -
correct answerSpectrophotometry
Amount of light absorbed is directly proportional
to concentration of analyte. - correct answerSpectrophotometry
Components of Spectrophotometry:
Light source (tungsten lamp for -------range, deuterium lamp for ------), monochromator (-
----- ---grating), cuvette, photodetector, readout device - correct answerLight source
(tungsten lamp for visible range, deuterium lamp for UV), monochromator (diffraction
grating), cuvette, photodetector, readout device
A = - correct answerA = 2-log % T.
Measures light absorbed by ground-state atoms. - correct answerAtomic absorption
spectrophotometry
Components of AAS: Hollow -----lamp, atomizer,
,flame, mixing chamber, chopper, monochromator, detector, readout device - correct
answerComponents of AAS: Hollow cathode lamp, atomizer, flame, mixing chamber,
chopper, monochromator, detector, readout device
Hollow cathode lamp with cathode made of -----produces wavelength ----- for analyte.
Sensitive. - correct answerHollow cathode lamp with cathode made of analyte produces
wavelength specific for analyte. Sensitive
Used to measure trace metals. - correct answerAAS
Atoms absorb light of specific wavelength & emit light of longer wavelength (lower
energy) - correct answerFluorometry
Components of Fluorometry
Light source (mercury or ------arc lamp), primary monochromator, sample holder (-----
cuvettes),
secondary monochromator, detector, readout device - correct answerComponents of
Fluorometry
Light source (mercury or xenon arc lamp), primary monochromator, sample holder
(quartz cuvettes),
secondary monochromator, detector, readout device
Detector at 90º to light source so that only light emitted by sample is measured. More
sensitive
than colorimetry. - correct answerFluorometry detector at 90 degree to light source so
that only light emitted by sample is measured
Used to measure drugs, hormones. - correct answerFluorometry is used to measure
drugs, hormones
Chemical rxn that produces light.
Usually involves oxidation of luminol, acridinium
esters, or dioxetanes. - correct answerChemiluminescence
Components of Chemiluminescence:
Reagent probes, sample & --- cuvette, photomultiplier tube, read out device - correct
answerComponents of Chemiluminescence:
Reagent probes, sample & reagent
cuvette, photomultiplier tube,
readout device
Doesn't require excitation radiation or monochromators like fluorometry. Extremely
sensitive. - correct answerChemiluminescence doesn't require excitation radiation or
monochromators like fluorometry
,Used for immunoassays. - correct answerChemiluminescence is used for
immunoassays
Measures reduction in light transmission by particles in
suspension. - correct answerTurbidimetry
Similar to turbidity, but light is measured at angle from light source. - correct
answerNephelometry
Used to measure proteins in urine & CSF - correct answerTurbidimetry is used to
measure proteins in urine and CSF
Used to measure ag-ab rxn. - correct answerNephelometry is used to measure ag-ab
rxn
Screening test for drugs of abuse in urine
Substances identified by Rf value - correct answerThin-layer chromatography (TLC)
(distance traveled by compound/
distance traveled by solvent). - correct answerRf value
Separation of thermolabile compounds
Concentration determined by peak height ratio
(height of analyte peak/height of internal standard peak). - correct answerHigh-
performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
Separation of volatile compounds or compounds that
can be made volatile, e.g., therapeutic & toxic drugs
Compounds identified by retention time. Area of peak is proportional to concentration. -
correct answerGas chromatography (GC)
Potential difference between 2 electrodes
directly related to concentration of analyte. - correct answerIon-selective electrodes
Separation of charged particles in electrical
field. Anions move to positively charged
pole (anode); cations to negatively charged
pole (cathode). The greater the charge, the
faster the migration. - correct answerElectrophoresis
Reference Range: 70-99 mg/dL - correct answerFasting Glucose
Reference Range: Desirable: <200 mg/dL - correct answerTotal Cholesterol
, Limited value for predicting risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) by itself.
Used in conjunction with HDL & LDL cholesterol - correct answerTotal Cholesterol is a
limited value by it self for predicting CAD
Appears to be inversely related to CAD - correct answerHDL cholesterol appears to be
inversely related to CAD
Reference Range: Desirable: ≥ 60 mg/dL - correct answerHDL
Reference Range: Optimal: <100 mg/dL - correct answerLDL Cholesterol
Risk factor for CAD - correct answerLDL
Triglycerides
May be calculated from Friedewald formula (if
triglycerides not >400 mg/dL) or measured by direct homogeneous assays. - correct
answerLDL Cholesterol may be calculated by Friedwald formula
Main form of lipid storage. Enzymatic methods
using lipase. Requires fasting specimen. - correct answerTriglycerides is the main form
of lipid storage
Reference Range: Desirable: <150 mg/dL - correct answerTriglycerides
Reference Range6.4-8.3 g/dL - correct answerTotal protein
Reference Range3.5-5 g/dL - correct answerAlbumin
Reference Range: 50-200 mg/24 hr predictive of diabetic nephropathy - correct
answerMicroalbumin(on urine)
↑ dehydration, chronic inflammation,
multiple myeloma - correct answerIncrease in total protein
↓ nephrotic syndrome, malabsorption, overhydration, hepatic insufficiency, malnutrition,
agammaglobulinemia - correct answerDecrease in total protein
↑ dehydration - correct answerIncrease in total albumin
↓ malnutrition, liver disease, nephrotic syndrome, chronic inflammation - correct
answerDecrease in total albumin
Largest fraction of plasma proteins. Synthesized
by liver. Regulates osmotic pressure. Measure by
dye binding, e.g., bromocresol green (BCG),
