Clinical Biochemistry-1 Notes
Subject Overview
Clinical Biochemistry-1 covers laboratory safety, quality control and organization in a biochemistry lab, then the principles, normal ranges and estimation procedures for the core clinical biochemistry panel — glucose, proteins, urea, uric acid, creatinine, bilirubin, lipids, electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, iodine) and calcium/
Subject at a glance
3
Units
19
Topics
4
Credits
3
Infographics
Unit-wise Syllabus
3 units — open any unit for detailed topic-wise notes, diagrams and important exam questions
- Hazards and safety measures in the clinical biochemistry laboratory
- quality control and quality assurance
- laboratory organization
- management and record maintenance
Pre-analytical
Right patient, sample, tube, transport
Analytical
Internal QC with controls, calibration
Post-analytical
Correct reporting and turnaround
External QC
Proficiency testing against other labs
Study guide
This unit covers the hazards and safety measures of the biochemistry laboratory, quality control and assurance, and laboratory organisation, management and record keeping. Learn the difference between quality control and quality assurance.
- Principles of assay procedures and normal/reference ranges for glucose
- proteins
- urea
- uric acid
- creatinine
- bilirubin and lipids
- principles
- procedures and error correction for sodium
- potassium
- chloride
- iodine
- calcium and phosphorus estimation
Fasting glucose
70–100 mg/dL
Diabetes
Urea
15–40 mg/dL
Kidney failure, dehydration
Creatinine
0.6–1.2 mg/dL
Kidney failure
Uric acid
3.5–7.2 mg/dL
Gout
Total bilirubin
0.3–1.2 mg/dL
Jaundice
Sodium / potassium
135–145 / 3.5–5.0 mmol/L
Electrolyte imbalance
Study guide
You study the principles of assay procedures and reference ranges for glucose, proteins, urea, uric acid, creatinine, bilirubin and lipids, and the estimation of sodium, potassium, chloride, iodine, calcium and phosphorus with error correction. Memorise reference ranges and the clinical meaning of high and low values.
- Instruments for detection of radioactivity
- applications of radioisotopes in clinical biochemistry
- enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
- 1
Coat the well with capture antibody
- 2
Add patient sample
Antigen binds
- 3
Wash
- 4
Add enzyme-linked detection antibody
- 5
Wash
- 6
Add substrate
Colour develops
- 7
Read absorbance
Colour ∝ antigen amount
Study guide
You study instruments for detecting radioactivity, applications of radioisotopes in clinical biochemistry and ELISA. Understand the principle of ELISA as an antibody-based colour reaction.
Why Clinical Biochemistry-1 Matters
Liver, kidney, lipid, sugar and electrolyte tests make up a large share of everyday laboratory work, and accurate performance of these tests is the core of a clinical biochemistry technologist's role.
How to Prepare for Clinical Biochemistry-1
- Learn each test's principle, reference range and clinical significance.
- Understand sources of error and how quality control detects them.
- Practise calculations for standards and dilutions.
Clinical Biochemistry-1: Frequently Asked Questions
What is internal quality control?
Internal quality control is the routine testing of control samples with known values to check that a laboratory's results are accurate and consistent.
What is ELISA?
ELISA is an immunoassay that uses an enzyme-linked antibody to detect and measure a substance, often through a colour change.