Chemical Pathology Flashcards
7 cards from real ABPATH practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Chemical Pathology flashcards as text
Which fasting requirement is essential before measuring a lipid panel's triglycerides accurately?
Answer: 9 to 12 hours fasting
Triglycerides rise after meals, so a 9-12 hour fast is standard for reliable measurement.
The corrected calcium formula is needed when which protein is abnormal?
Answer: Albumin
Roughly half of serum calcium is albumin-bound, so total calcium must be corrected for low albumin.
A patient with an anion gap of 24 and positive serum ketones most likely has which condition?
Answer: Diabetic ketoacidosis
High anion gap with ketonemia points to diabetic ketoacidosis from insulin deficiency.
Which tumor marker is most useful for monitoring colorectal cancer recurrence?
Answer: CEA
Carcinoembryonic antigen is the standard marker for surveillance of colorectal carcinoma after treatment.
Which value indicates the specimen was contaminated with intravenous fluid containing dextrose?
Answer: Extremely high glucose with low potassium and sodium
IV fluid contamination dilutes electrolytes while spiking glucose, a classic drawn-above-the-line artifact.
A low serum osmolality with high urine osmolality and hyponatremia suggests which diagnosis?
Answer: SIADH
SIADH causes inappropriate water retention with concentrated urine despite low plasma osmolality.
Which reference change most reliably indicates worsening renal function?
Answer: Rising serum creatinine with falling eGFR
A sustained creatinine increase with declining eGFR reflects true loss of glomerular filtration.