Medical Technologist Test Clinical Chemistry 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which lipoprotein is considered protective against cardiovascular disease?
- LDL
- VLDL
- HDL (Correct answer)
- Chylomicron
Correct answer: HDL
HDL (high-density lipoprotein) transports cholesterol from peripheral tissues back to the liver (reverse cholesterol transport), reducing atherosclerosis risk.
Question 2: A serum sodium of 125 mEq/L with dilute urine in a cancer patient suggests which diagnosis?
- Diabetes insipidus
- SIADH (Correct answer)
- Addison's disease
- Hyperaldosteronism
Correct answer: SIADH
SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate ADH) causes hyponatremia with inappropriately concentrated urine, commonly paraneoplastic.
Question 3: Which test is used to evaluate liver synthetic function?
- ALT
- AST
- Prothrombin time (PT) (Correct answer)
- Alkaline phosphatase
Correct answer: Prothrombin time (PT)
The liver synthesizes clotting factors, so PT/INR elevation indicates impaired hepatic synthetic function.
Question 4: Elevated serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) with normal transaminases is MOST consistent with which condition?
- Hepatocellular damage
- Obstructive jaundice or bone disease (Correct answer)
- Acute viral hepatitis
- Alcoholic hepatitis
Correct answer: Obstructive jaundice or bone disease
An isolated ALP elevation suggests cholestasis or bone disease; GGT elevation alongside confirms hepatic origin.
Question 5: In a blood gas analysis, a pH of 7.28 with elevated pCO2 and normal HCO3 indicates which acid-base disorder?
- Metabolic acidosis
- Respiratory alkalosis
- Respiratory acidosis (Correct answer)
- Metabolic alkalosis
Correct answer: Respiratory acidosis
Low pH with elevated pCO2 (retained CO2) and normal bicarbonate indicates respiratory acidosis from hypoventilation.
Question 6: Which reference method is the gold standard for glucose measurement in clinical chemistry?
- Glucose oxidase method
- Hexokinase method (Correct answer)
- Orthotoluidine method
- Benedict's test
Correct answer: Hexokinase method
The hexokinase method is considered the reference method for serum glucose due to its high specificity and accuracy.
Medical Technologist Test Clinical Chemistry 2
Which lipoprotein is considered protective against cardiovascular disease?