ASCP BOC Exam:
Chemistry Polansky Cards
2026 | Clinical Chemistry
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Questions & Exam Review
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Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
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Rationales
Included
,Posture causes what chemistry levels to fluctuate? ↑ albumin, cholesterol, Ca2+ when standing
Activity ↑ in ambulatory patients: creatinine kinase (CK)
Activity ↑ with exercise: K+, phosphate, lactic acid, creatinine, protein, CK, AST, LD
Stress ↑ ↑ ACTH, cortisol, catecholamines
Chemical rxn produces colored substance that absorbs Spectrophotometry
light of a specific wavelength.
Amount of light absorbed is directly proportional Spectrophotometry
to concentration of analyte.
Components of Spectrophotometry: Light source (tungsten lamp for visible range, deuterium lamp for UV),
Light source (tungsten lamp for -------range, deuterium monochromator (diffraction grating), cuvette, photodetector, readout device
lamp for ------), monochromator (------ ---grating),
cuvette, photodetector, readout device
A= A = 2-log % T.
Measures light absorbed by ground-state atoms. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry
Components of AAS: Hollow -----lamp, atomizer, Components of AAS: Hollow cathode lamp, atomizer, flame, mixing chamber,
flame, mixing chamber, chopper, monochromator, chopper, monochromator, detector, readout device
detector, readout device
Hollow cathode lamp with cathode made of ----- Hollow cathode lamp with cathode made of analyte produces wavelength
produces wavelength ----- for analyte. Sensitive. specific for analyte. Sensitive
Used to measure trace metals. AAS
Atoms absorb light of specific wavelength & emit light of Fluorometry
longer wavelength (lower energy)
Components of Fluorometry Components of Fluorometry
Light source (mercury or ------arc lamp), primary Light source (mercury or xenon arc lamp), primary monochromator, sample
monochromator, sample holder (-----cuvettes), holder (quartz cuvettes),
secondary monochromator, detector, readout device secondary monochromator, detector, readout device
, Detector at 90º to light source so that only light emitted Fluorometry detector at 90 degree to light source so that only light emitted by
by sample is measured. More sensitive sample is measured
than colorimetry.
Used to measure drugs, hormones. Fluorometry is used to measure drugs, hormones
Chemical rxn that produces light. Chemiluminescence
Usually involves oxidation of luminol, acridinium
esters, or dioxetanes.
Components of Chemiluminescence: Components of Chemiluminescence:
Reagent probes, sample & --- cuvette, photomultiplier Reagent probes, sample & reagent
tube, read out device cuvette, photomultiplier tube,
readout device
Doesn't require excitation radiation or monochromators Chemiluminescence doesn't require excitation radiation or monochromators like
like fluorometry. Extremely sensitive. fluorometry
Used for immunoassays. Chemiluminescence is used for immunoassays
Measures reduction in light transmission by particles in Turbidimetry
suspension.
Similar to turbidity, but light is measured at angle from Nephelometry
light source.
Used to measure proteins in urine & CSF Turbidimetry is used to measure proteins in urine and CSF
Used to measure ag-ab rxn. Nephelometry is used to measure ag-ab rxn
Screening test for drugs of abuse in urine Thin-layer chromatography (TLC)
Substances identified by Rf value
(distance traveled by compound/ Rf value
distance traveled by solvent).
Chemistry Polansky Cards
2026 | Clinical Chemistry
Flashcards, Practice
Questions & Exam Review
|Graded A+ | Guaranteed
Success|
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
,Posture causes what chemistry levels to fluctuate? ↑ albumin, cholesterol, Ca2+ when standing
Activity ↑ in ambulatory patients: creatinine kinase (CK)
Activity ↑ with exercise: K+, phosphate, lactic acid, creatinine, protein, CK, AST, LD
Stress ↑ ↑ ACTH, cortisol, catecholamines
Chemical rxn produces colored substance that absorbs Spectrophotometry
light of a specific wavelength.
Amount of light absorbed is directly proportional Spectrophotometry
to concentration of analyte.
Components of Spectrophotometry: Light source (tungsten lamp for visible range, deuterium lamp for UV),
Light source (tungsten lamp for -------range, deuterium monochromator (diffraction grating), cuvette, photodetector, readout device
lamp for ------), monochromator (------ ---grating),
cuvette, photodetector, readout device
A= A = 2-log % T.
Measures light absorbed by ground-state atoms. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry
Components of AAS: Hollow -----lamp, atomizer, Components of AAS: Hollow cathode lamp, atomizer, flame, mixing chamber,
flame, mixing chamber, chopper, monochromator, chopper, monochromator, detector, readout device
detector, readout device
Hollow cathode lamp with cathode made of ----- Hollow cathode lamp with cathode made of analyte produces wavelength
produces wavelength ----- for analyte. Sensitive. specific for analyte. Sensitive
Used to measure trace metals. AAS
Atoms absorb light of specific wavelength & emit light of Fluorometry
longer wavelength (lower energy)
Components of Fluorometry Components of Fluorometry
Light source (mercury or ------arc lamp), primary Light source (mercury or xenon arc lamp), primary monochromator, sample
monochromator, sample holder (-----cuvettes), holder (quartz cuvettes),
secondary monochromator, detector, readout device secondary monochromator, detector, readout device
, Detector at 90º to light source so that only light emitted Fluorometry detector at 90 degree to light source so that only light emitted by
by sample is measured. More sensitive sample is measured
than colorimetry.
Used to measure drugs, hormones. Fluorometry is used to measure drugs, hormones
Chemical rxn that produces light. Chemiluminescence
Usually involves oxidation of luminol, acridinium
esters, or dioxetanes.
Components of Chemiluminescence: Components of Chemiluminescence:
Reagent probes, sample & --- cuvette, photomultiplier Reagent probes, sample & reagent
tube, read out device cuvette, photomultiplier tube,
readout device
Doesn't require excitation radiation or monochromators Chemiluminescence doesn't require excitation radiation or monochromators like
like fluorometry. Extremely sensitive. fluorometry
Used for immunoassays. Chemiluminescence is used for immunoassays
Measures reduction in light transmission by particles in Turbidimetry
suspension.
Similar to turbidity, but light is measured at angle from Nephelometry
light source.
Used to measure proteins in urine & CSF Turbidimetry is used to measure proteins in urine and CSF
Used to measure ag-ab rxn. Nephelometry is used to measure ag-ab rxn
Screening test for drugs of abuse in urine Thin-layer chromatography (TLC)
Substances identified by Rf value
(distance traveled by compound/ Rf value
distance traveled by solvent).
