Clinical Microbiology
What methods and instruments did we use in this lab?
- qPCR
- ELISA
What methods/instruments are used?
Hint: Think of the light rays the Sun gives off!
UV-Vis and ELISA
What is toxicology?
The scientific study of the adverse effects of chemical, physical, or biological agents on living organisms.
True or false: Paramedics can conditionally diagnose patients.
True!
What is the main/primary diagnosis of your patient?
P1 - Heart attack
P2 - Cirrhosis due to liver failure
P3 - Fentanyl overdose
P4 - Lung cancer
What are antibodies and antigens?
Antigens are pathogenic organisms that attack the body. Antibodies are the body's response to antigens, they defend the body.
Name at least 2 things you tested for with the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
Albumin, bilirubin, glucose, electrolytes, liver enzymes
Which instrument separates compounds then identifies them?
GC-MS, Gas chromatography
Name at least 3 of the 4 core/basic vitals
- Heart Rate
- Respiratory Rate
- Blood Pressure
- Level of responsiveness
What does ELISA stand for?
Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay
What is bilirubin?
A waste product formed from the breakdown of red blood cells by the liver
What causes someone to overdose?
Exposure to a substance in an amount that the body cannot tolerate, posing a life-threatening risk.
Which instrument measures oxygen levels without drawing blood?
Pulse oximeter
When using qPCR to test for active infection, what are we making more copies of?
Viral DNA
What do high levels of cardiac troponin indicate?
Hint: Cardiac - heart
Cardiac injury, damage to the heart muscle
Name at least 3 drug classes that are tested for in the Comprehensive Drug Panel.
Amphetamine, Secobarbital, Oxazepam, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, MDMA, Morphine/Opiate, Methadone, Oxycodone, PCP, Nortriptyline, Cannabinoids (THC)
What is the role of platelets?
Platelets help blood to clot and stop bleeding
Why would a patient test antibody‑positive on ELISA but DNA‑negative on qPCR?
Past infection or immunity, no active infection
If a patient has hepatic jaundice (yellowed skin and eyes), what can you expect to see in their Comprehensive Metabolic Panel?
Elevated bilirubin, ALT, AST, ALP
Name the fentanyl metabolite that we are testing for in the drug panel test.
Nor fentanyl
If a patient has a high white blood cell count and fever, what can you assume?
Patient's body is actively fighting an infection