Clinical 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 Clinical Pathology flashcards as text
Which blood group antibody is most commonly associated with severe hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn?
Answer: Anti-D
Anti-D is an IgG antibody that readily crosses the placenta and causes severe HDFN.
A positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT) with C3d only and cold agglutinins is most consistent with:
Answer: Cold agglutinin disease
Cold agglutinin disease typically shows complement (C3d) coating without IgG on the DAT.
Which urine finding best supports a diagnosis of acute tubular necrosis rather than prerenal azotemia?
Answer: Muddy brown granular casts
Muddy brown granular casts (renal tubular epithelial casts) are characteristic of acute tubular necrosis.
Which cerebrospinal fluid profile is most typical of bacterial meningitis?
Answer: High neutrophils, low glucose, high protein
Bacterial meningitis classically shows neutrophilic pleocytosis, hypoglycorrhachia, and elevated protein.
Which enzyme elevation is most specific for myocardial injury?
Answer: Cardiac troponin
Cardiac troponin I and T are the most sensitive and specific markers of myocardial injury.
A synovial fluid showing negatively birefringent needle-shaped crystals under polarized light indicates:
Answer: Gout (monosodium urate)
Monosodium urate crystals are needle-shaped and negatively birefringent, diagnostic of gout.
Which condition produces a spuriously low measured sodium due to hyperlipidemia or hyperproteinemia when using indirect ISE?
Answer: Pseudohyponatremia
Pseudohyponatremia occurs when excess lipids or proteins displace plasma water, lowering indirect ISE sodium readings.