Clinical Chemistry

Front 1

Name 5 items that need to be included when labeling a sample:

Back 1

1. Date
2. Time of collection
3. Owner Name
4. Patient Name
5. Patient's Clinic ID#

Front 2

Define:
Plasma

Back 2

Fluid portin of whole blood. (90% water & 10% dissolved constituents)

Front 3

Define:
Serum

Back 3

Serum is plasma from which the fibrinogen has been removed.

Front 4

Why cant serum be used to test fibrinogen levels?

Back 4

Because the fibrinogen has been removed.

Front 5

What do Plasma Protein Assays commonly include?

Back 5

1. Total Protein
2. Albumin
3. Fibrinogen

Front 6

Name 4 functions of Plasma Proteins:

Back 6

1. Maintaining Osmotic Pressure
2. Acting as Buffers in acid-base balance
3. Serving as Hormones
4. Functioning in Blood Coagulation

Front 7

What is a fast, inexpensive, and accurate way to obtain Totla Plasma Protein levels?

Back 7

Refractometric Method-measures the refractive index of serum or plasma with a refractometer.

Front 8

Albumin

Back 8

-One of the most important proteins in plasma or serum.
-Albumin is the major binding and transport protein in the blood.
-Heptaocytes (liver cells) synthesize albumin
-3 things that influence plasma albumin levels: Renal disease, Dietary intake, Intestinal protein absorption

Front 9

What are the 3 types of Globulins?

Back 9

1. Alpha Globulins
2. Beta Globulins
3. Gamma Globulins (immunoglobulins)

Front 10

2 Methods to determine TP:

Back 10

1. Refractometric Method: measures the refractive index of serum or plasma w/ a refractometer.
2. Biuret Photometric Method: measures the number of molecules containing more than 3 peptide bonds in serum or plasma.

Front 11

Define:
Cholestasis

Back 11

Bile duct obstruction

Front 12

Define:
Isoenzyme

Back 12

A group of enzymes with similar catalytic activities but different physical properties. (present in: cells with hepatobiliary system, osteoblasts in bone, chondroblasts in cartilage)

Front 13

Bile Acids

Back 13

**only 5-10% are lost in feces and need to be replaced.
-Made from cholesterol in liver cells.
-Stored in the gall bladder until moved to the duodenum.
-Aid in fat digestion
-Liver removes 75-90% of bile acids.

Front 14

Which enzyme is a metabolite of the heme portion of hemoglobin and is considered a waste product?

Back 14

Bilirubin
-carried to the liver bound to albumin
-insoluble in water until taken to the liver and conjugating w/ sugars
-must be carried to intestines by bile to be eliminated.
-conjugated & unconjugated bilirubin found in plasma.
-Sensitive to light.

Front 15

Albumin

Back 15

-Hypoalbuminemia is NOT noted until 60-*0% of hepatic function is lost.
-Common in dogs w/ chronic liver disease (60% will have hypoalbuminemia)

Front 16

List the 3 primary Pancreatic Enzymes:

Back 16

1. Trypsin
2. Amylase
3. Lipase

Front 17

Trypsin
(pancreatic enzyme)

Back 17

-Proteolytic enzyme
**More readily found in in feces than in blood
-absence from feces is normal
-Use fresh feces for both tests:
1. Test tube method utilizing Knox gelatin (protein)
2. X-Ray film test

Front 18

Amylase
(pancreatic enzyme)

Back 18

-Primary source: Pancreas (also produced in the salivary glands & small intestine)
-Incresed levels appear with: acute pancreatis, flare-ups of chronic pancreatitis, obstruction of pancreatic ducts

Front 19

2 Amylase Test Methods available:

Back 19

1. Saccharogenic Method: measures production of reducing sugars as amylase catalyzes the breakdown of starch. (NOT recommended for Canine samples)
2. Amyloclastic Method: measures the disappearance of starch.

Front 20

Lipase
(pancreatic enzyme)

Back 20

-Primary source: Pancreas
-Functions: to break down long-chain fatty acids of lipids
-Increases during episodes of pancreatitis (more sensitive than amylase) Avoid hemolyzed & lipemic samples.
*Immuno-Reactivity Test: Snap Canine Pancreatic Lipase Test (cPL)

Front 21

Fructosamine

Back 21

-Increased fructosamine indicates persistant hyperglycemia
-Provides an indication of average serum glucose over approximately a 1-2 week period.

Front 22

What endocrine system assay is used to differentiate hyperadrenocorticism as pituitary vs. adrenal origin?

Back 22

Dexamethasone Suppression
-Used to evaluate the adrenal glands
-Confirms or replaces the ACTH response testfor hyperadrenocroticism (Cushing's Disease).
-Differentiates pituitary from adrenal origin.
*In cats only the High-Dose Dex test is suitable.

Front 23

Define:
Electrolyte

Back 23

Negative ions and positive ions of elements found in fluids of all organisms.

Front 24

Electrolyte Functions:

Back 24

-Maintains water balance
-Fluid osmotic pressure
-Normal muscular & nervous functions
-Maintenance $ activation of several enzyme systems
-Acid-base regulation

Front 25

Most commonly analyzed Electrolytes:

Back 25

-Calcium
-Inorganic Phosphorus
-Potassium
-Sodium
-Chloride
-Magnesium

Front 26

Calcium
(common electrolytes)

Back 26

-99% found in bones
-1% has major functions in the body (maintenance of neuromuscular excitability and tone, maintenance of enzyme activity & inorganic ion transfer across cell membranes, facilitates blood coagulation)
-Found in plasma/serum
-Hypercalcemia: elevated blood calcium
-Hypocalcemia: decresed blood calcium

Front 27

Inorganic Phosphorus
(common electrolytes)

Back 27

-80% found in the bones
-The other 20% functions in: energy source release & transfer, carbohydrate metabolism
-Found in RBC's as organic phosphorus
-Composed of: Nucleic Acids & Phospholipids
-Hyperphosphatemia: Increased serum/plasma phosphorus concentration
-Hypophosphatemia: Decreased serum/plasma phosphorus concentration (as phosphorus concentrations decrease, calcium concentrations increase)

Front 28

Sodium
(common electrolytes)

Back 28

-Major cation (positive charged) of plasma % interstituial fluid
-Important in water distribution & body fluid osmotic pressure
-Vital in: pH regulation of urine & Acid-base balance
-Hypernatremia: elevated blood levels of sodium
-Hyponatremia: decreased blood level of sodium

Front 29

Potassium
(common electrolytes)

Back 29

-Major intracellular cation
-Important for: Muscle & Cardiac function, Respiration, Nerve impulse transmission, Carbohydrate metabolism
-Hyperkalemia: acidotic animals' potassium leaves intracellular fluid as hydrogen ions move in
-Hypokalemia: decreased potassium levels in plasma (alkalosis, inadequate intake, fluid loss)
-Plasma samples perferred
-Avoid hemolytic samples
-Seperate plasma from RBC's before refrigerating!

Front 30

Magnesium
(common electrolytes)

Back 30

-4th most common cation
-2nd most common intracellular cation
-Found in all body tissues
-50% found in bones
-Activates enzyme system
-*Involved in production & decomposition of Acetylcholine
-Magnesium/Calcium imbalance results in muscle tetany (rigidity)
-Hypomagnesemia: decreased blood magnesium level
-Hypermagnesemia: elevated blood magnesium level