Clinical Chemistry Flashcards
6 cards from real Medical Technologist Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Clinical Chemistry flashcards as text
Serum creatinine is primarily used to assess the function of which organ?
Answer: Kidney
Creatinine is filtered by the glomerulus and serves as a reliable endogenous marker of glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
Which condition causes a true decrease in serum albumin?
Answer: Nephrotic syndrome
Nephrotic syndrome causes massive urinary protein loss, leading to hypoalbuminemia and oncotic pressure changes.
A patient with hypothyroidism would most likely show which thyroid function test pattern?
Answer: High TSH with low free T4
Primary hypothyroidism shows elevated TSH (pituitary compensation) and decreased free T4 due to reduced thyroid output.
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is caused by a deficiency of which enzyme?
Answer: Phenylalanine hydroxylase
PKU results from deficient phenylalanine hydroxylase, causing phenylalanine accumulation and intellectual disability if untreated.
Which specimen tube should be used for serum chemistry testing?
Answer: Red or gold (SST)
Red or gold SST (serum separator) tubes allow blood to clot; serum is separated by centrifugation for most chemistry panels.
An anion gap of 24 mEq/L in a diabetic patient with nausea suggests which diagnosis?
Answer: Diabetic ketoacidosis
Elevated anion gap metabolic acidosis in a diabetic patient is the hallmark of DKA, where ketoacids accumulate and widen the anion gap.