Nursing

Module: Clinical Biochemistry - Giuseppe Zardo Pathophysiological and Practical-Applicative Objectives The student must be able to identify the most appropriate laboratory tests to evaluate the functional and structural integrity of organs and tissues, demonstrating knowledge of the biological, molecular, and pathophysiological foundations of the disease under investigation. Course Content Laboratory Tests: Definition and Biological Samples Purpose of laboratory tests and units of measurement. Pre-analytical phase: patient identification, collection of biological materials, types of collection tubes, types of blood samples; transport, processing, and storage of biological samples. Sources of pre-analytical variability. Analytical phase: evaluation of methods and results. Analytical variability: precision and accuracy measurements, random and systematic error. Post-analytical phase: data validation and result reporting. Data archiving. Quality control: internal and external quality control. Biological variability and reference intervals: definition and analysis. Acid-Base Balance Laboratory Physiological buffer systems: bicarbonate and hemoglobin buffer systems. Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. Acid-base balance regulation: role of respiratory and renal systems. Acid-base disorders. Instruments: blood gas analyzer (pH, pO₂, pCO₂ electrodes). Fluid and Electrolyte Balance Laboratory Water distribution across body compartments. Regulation of fluid osmolarity and volume: roles of ADH and aldosterone. Water balance and related disorders. Sodium metabolism and sodium balance disorders.Potassium metabolism and potassium balance disorders. Analytical methods: anion gap and osmolarity. Diabetes Mellitus Laboratory Hormonal regulation of glucose metabolism. Classification of diabetes mellitus: type 1, type 2, impaired glucose tolerance, gestational diabetes. Functional assessments: fasting plasma glucose, urinary glucose, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), insulin levels, C-peptide levels, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Dyslipidemia Laboratory. Lipid absorption, transport, storage, and metabolism; normal values and analytical methods. Apolipoproteins: ApoA, ApoB, ApoC, ApoE and their receptors. Evaluation of triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol levels. Classification of dyslipidemias. Protein Metabolism Laboratory. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum and urinary creatinine, creatinine clearance. Laboratory Diagnosis of Myocardial Infarction. Enzymes and isoenzymes.Cardiac biomarkers: troponin I and T, myoglobin.