CLINICAL CHEMISTRY AMT QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS 2025
INTRAvascular Compartment: - CORRECT ANSWER -
consists of body fluids contained within blood and lymph vessels.
EXTRAvascular Compartment: - CORRECT ANSWER -
consists of body fluids contained OUTSIDE of the blood and lymph vessels,
i.e. in body tissues/organs. Includes intracellular (within tissue cells) and extracellular (outside o
f cells, in interstitial spaces) water.
Electrolytes play a significant role in - CORRECT ANSWER -
the osmotic pressure differences in the body (along with proteins)
in sustaining life by transmitting electrochemical impulses in nerves and muscles
FUNCTIONS of ELECTROLYTES - CORRECT ANSWER -Regulation of water distribution
Contributes to osmotic pressure
Nerve transmission to muscles
Cell permeability (passage of solutes and solvents into/out of cells)
Oxidation-reduction reactions
Maintenance of blood pH
,ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE - CORRECT ANSWER -A life-threatening situation
Can be caused by-
excessive vomiting, urination, sweating, diarrhea, bleeding and exudation (from burns)
MAJOR ELECTROLYTES - CORRECT ANSWER -
Sodium is the major cation in PLASMA and interstitial fluids
Potassium is the major cation in INTRACELLULAR fluids
OSMOSIS - CORRECT ANSWER -The movement of water through a semi-
permeable membrane from a
HIGHER-concentration solution to a
LOWER-concentration solution (until homeostasis is reached)
The physical force exerted by this movement is called the OSMOTIC PRESSURE
ANION GAP - CORRECT ANSWER -ANION GAP = [Na+ + K+] - [Cl- + HCO3-]
Thus, the anion gap represents the difference between the UNmeasured anions and the UNmea
sured cations
,HIGH ANION GAP - CORRECT ANSWER -High AG seen in such diseases as-
diabetes (uncontrolled)- due to the formation of ketoacids, and subsequent decrease in HCO3-
Lactic acidosis
ketoacidosis
Elevated levels of acids (H+) causes a concomitant decrease in HCO3-
(bicarbonate buffer), causing the AG to increase.
LOW ANION GAP - CORRECT ANSWER -Seen in multiple myeloma
other uses for anion gap - CORRECT ANSWER -Can be used as a quality control function
SODIUM - CORRECT ANSWER -Major cation (+) in extracellular fluid
Sodium ingestion causes a temporary increase in extracellular fluid volume-
because water follows the sodium into tissues.
RENAL REGULATION of SODIUM - CORRECT ANSWER -
Mainly controlled by the hormone ALDOSTERONE
secreted by the adrenal cortex
a mineralocorticoid hormone
, ALDOSTERONE - CORRECT ANSWER -
Stimulates Na+ reabsorption in kidneys (increasing blood volume and BP)
Stimulates K+ secretion/elimination in kidneys
Decreased BP and blood volume stimulate aldosterone secretion
ATRIAL NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE (ANP) - CORRECT ANSWER -secreted by the heart
Regulates BP
FUNCTIONS OF SODIUM - CORRECT ANSWER -
Nerve impulse transmission (responsible for creating the resting membrane potential via the Na
+/K+ pump)
Maintaining osmotic pressure in extracellular fluid
Facilitating muscle contraction (esp. cardiac muscle)
Maintaining acid-base balance (Na+/H+ exchange in renal tubules)
Maintaining blood viscosity (via water excretion/absorption)
Hypernatremia - CORRECT ANSWER -increased sodium levels (rare)
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS 2025
INTRAvascular Compartment: - CORRECT ANSWER -
consists of body fluids contained within blood and lymph vessels.
EXTRAvascular Compartment: - CORRECT ANSWER -
consists of body fluids contained OUTSIDE of the blood and lymph vessels,
i.e. in body tissues/organs. Includes intracellular (within tissue cells) and extracellular (outside o
f cells, in interstitial spaces) water.
Electrolytes play a significant role in - CORRECT ANSWER -
the osmotic pressure differences in the body (along with proteins)
in sustaining life by transmitting electrochemical impulses in nerves and muscles
FUNCTIONS of ELECTROLYTES - CORRECT ANSWER -Regulation of water distribution
Contributes to osmotic pressure
Nerve transmission to muscles
Cell permeability (passage of solutes and solvents into/out of cells)
Oxidation-reduction reactions
Maintenance of blood pH
,ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE - CORRECT ANSWER -A life-threatening situation
Can be caused by-
excessive vomiting, urination, sweating, diarrhea, bleeding and exudation (from burns)
MAJOR ELECTROLYTES - CORRECT ANSWER -
Sodium is the major cation in PLASMA and interstitial fluids
Potassium is the major cation in INTRACELLULAR fluids
OSMOSIS - CORRECT ANSWER -The movement of water through a semi-
permeable membrane from a
HIGHER-concentration solution to a
LOWER-concentration solution (until homeostasis is reached)
The physical force exerted by this movement is called the OSMOTIC PRESSURE
ANION GAP - CORRECT ANSWER -ANION GAP = [Na+ + K+] - [Cl- + HCO3-]
Thus, the anion gap represents the difference between the UNmeasured anions and the UNmea
sured cations
,HIGH ANION GAP - CORRECT ANSWER -High AG seen in such diseases as-
diabetes (uncontrolled)- due to the formation of ketoacids, and subsequent decrease in HCO3-
Lactic acidosis
ketoacidosis
Elevated levels of acids (H+) causes a concomitant decrease in HCO3-
(bicarbonate buffer), causing the AG to increase.
LOW ANION GAP - CORRECT ANSWER -Seen in multiple myeloma
other uses for anion gap - CORRECT ANSWER -Can be used as a quality control function
SODIUM - CORRECT ANSWER -Major cation (+) in extracellular fluid
Sodium ingestion causes a temporary increase in extracellular fluid volume-
because water follows the sodium into tissues.
RENAL REGULATION of SODIUM - CORRECT ANSWER -
Mainly controlled by the hormone ALDOSTERONE
secreted by the adrenal cortex
a mineralocorticoid hormone
, ALDOSTERONE - CORRECT ANSWER -
Stimulates Na+ reabsorption in kidneys (increasing blood volume and BP)
Stimulates K+ secretion/elimination in kidneys
Decreased BP and blood volume stimulate aldosterone secretion
ATRIAL NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE (ANP) - CORRECT ANSWER -secreted by the heart
Regulates BP
FUNCTIONS OF SODIUM - CORRECT ANSWER -
Nerve impulse transmission (responsible for creating the resting membrane potential via the Na
+/K+ pump)
Maintaining osmotic pressure in extracellular fluid
Facilitating muscle contraction (esp. cardiac muscle)
Maintaining acid-base balance (Na+/H+ exchange in renal tubules)
Maintaining blood viscosity (via water excretion/absorption)
Hypernatremia - CORRECT ANSWER -increased sodium levels (rare)
