Chemistry
Interpret chemistry patterns, check calculations, and evaluate specimen and method effects before reporting.
Steps
- Start
3 skills
- Classify a glucose or HbA1c result using the ADA limits and confirmation rule
- Match each glucose pathway to energy release, glucose storage, or new glucose synthesis
- Choose prompt separation, an ice slurry, or an inhibitor tube to stop glucose loss
At the bench Assess specimen interference before reporting a chemistry result
- StartHbA1c and ketones14 min
2 skills
- Recognize when red-cell changes make an HbA1c disagree with the glucose history
- Choose a ketone test that detects beta-hydroxybutyrate in suspected DKA
- Start
3 skills
- Choose a valid LDL-C or non-HDL-C result when triglycerides are too high for Friedewald
- Match each lipoprotein particle to the lipid it carries and where that lipid comes from
- Tell a high-LDL type IIa lipid profile from a triglyceride-rich profile
- StartBilirubin and porphyrins18 min
4 skills
- Match each bilirubin fraction to a step in production, conjugation, or excretion
- Explain a persistent direct-reacting bilirubin during recovery
- Check light protection and interference before releasing a bilirubin result
- Choose the first porphyria test for acute attacks, blistering, or painful photosensitivity
At the bench Assess specimen interference before reporting a chemistry result
- Start
2 skills
- Predict how enzyme reaction rate changes as substrate concentration rises
- Tell competitive from noncompetitive inhibition by their effects on Km and Vmax
- Start
2 skills
- Tell a hepatocellular from a cholestatic pattern using AST, ALT, ALP, and GGT
- Judge an amylase or lipase rise against its nonpancreatic causes and time course
- Start
2 skills
- Tell a broad polyclonal gamma increase from a narrow monoclonal peak on electrophoresis
- Add immunofixation and free light chains to electrophoresis for a suspected M-protein
At the bench Review a separation pattern and its method controls
- Start
4 skills
- Recognize when a creatinine eGFR needs a cystatin C equation or a measured GFR
- Calculate fractional sodium excretion using paired concentrations
- Keep an ammonia specimen on ice and centrifuge it cold without delay
- Check assay limits or use another method for a creatinine on an icteric specimen
At the bench Assess specimen interference before reporting a chemistry result
- Start
3 skills
- Calculate total excretion from concentration and a complete timed collection
- Calculate measured creatinine clearance from timed urine flow
- Convert a measured clearance between absolute and BSA-indexed reporting
- Start
2 skills
- Tell myocardial injury from infarction by troponin level, rise or fall, and ischemia
- Use a tumor marker only to monitor a known cancer or screen a targeted group
- Start
4 skills
- Confirm arterial or venous source and inspired oxygen before interpreting a blood gas
- Predict how room-air exposure changes a blood-gas specimen
- Recognize how excess liquid heparin dilutes a blood-gas specimen
- Calculate oxygen content using hemoglobin concentration and the stated saturation
At the bench Interpret a blood gas result with its specimen conditions
- Start
2 skills
- Tell acidemia from acidosis and alkalemia from alkalosis
- Identify the primary acid-base process from pH, pCO₂, and bicarbonate
At the bench Interpret a blood gas result with its specimen conditions
- Start
3 skills
- Calculate the Winters expected pCO₂ and compare it with the measured pCO₂
- Calculate the expected bicarbonate for an acute or chronic respiratory disorder
- Recognize a mixed disorder despite a near-normal pH
At the bench Interpret a blood gas result with its specimen conditions
- Start
4 skills
- Use measured osmolality to tell hypotonic hyponatremia from pseudohyponatremia
- Calculate an osmolal gap using the stated formula and units
- Distinguish potassium redistribution from a change in total-body stores
- Decide whether to release or recollect a hemolyzed potassium specimen
At the bench Review electrolyte results and related calculations for consistency · Assess specimen interference before reporting a chemistry result
- Start
4 skills
- Recognize CO₂ escape from an uncapped tube behind a low total CO₂
- Choose between total and ionized calcium when albumin or pH is abnormal
- Check magnesium when hypokalemia does not correct
- Tell a phosphate shift into cells from renal or dietary phosphate loss
At the bench Assess specimen interference before reporting a chemistry result · Review electrolyte results and related calculations for consistency
- Start
4 skills
- Calculate an anion gap using the stated potassium convention
- Correct an anion gap for albumin under the stated convention
- Calculate a delta ratio using compatible gap and bicarbonate baselines
- Check a raised lactate for processing delay, glycolate interference, and nonhypoxic causes
At the bench Review electrolyte results and related calculations for consistency · Assess specimen interference before reporting a chemistry result
- Start
3 skills
- Locate an endocrine defect in the gland or pituitary from target and regulating hormones
- Classify a TSH and free T₄ pattern after checking dose timing, binding, and interference
- Test a discordant hormone immunoassay by dilution, blocking reagent, or another platform
At the bench Assess specimen interference before reporting a chemistry result
- Start
4 skills
- Confirm draw time, posture, and chilling for cortisol, renin, and ACTH specimens
- Read a cortisol result against the limits of its timed draw or dynamic test
- Read FSH, LH, estradiol, and progesterone against the interval for cycle day and age
- Judge whether a PTH fits the calcium, phosphate, vitamin D, and kidney results
At the bench Check specimen identity and suitability before analysis · Review electrolyte results and related calculations for consistency
- Start
3 skills
- Match a vitamin question to a direct, functional, or metabolite measurement
- Choose metal-free tubes, stoppers, and pipette tips for a trace-element specimen
- Tell inflammation or protein loss from malnutrition behind a low albumin or prealbumin
At the bench Assess specimen interference before reporting a chemistry result
- Start
2 skills
- Tell a presumptive immunoassay drug screen from GC-MS or LC-MS/MS identification
- Predict how osmolal and anion gaps change as a toxic alcohol is metabolized
- Start
3 skills
- Confirm dose and draw time before comparing a drug level with its trough or peak target
- Recognize when binding changes make a total drug level understate the free drug
- Decide whether an acetaminophen level can be plotted on the nomogram
At the bench Check collection timing before interpreting a therapeutic drug result
More skills in this part
Chemistry
- Recall the ASCP MLS examination range for sodium
- Recall the ASCP MLS examination range for potassium
- Recall the ASCP MLS examination range for chloride
- Recall the ASCP MLS examination range for total CO₂
- Recall the ASCP MLS examination range for creatinine
- Recall the ASCP MLS examination range for blood urea nitrogen
- Recall the ASCP MLS examination range for fasting glucose
- Recall the ASCP MLS examination range for arterial pH
- Recall the ASCP MLS examination range for arterial pCO₂
- Recall the ASCP MLS examination range for arterial bicarbonate