MEDTECH NOTES: 2015

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Microbiology: Mnemonic #1

So this mnemonic only makes sense for Filipino students (sorry). This is a funny and graphic way of remembering organisms that yield a positive reaction for H2S may it be in the TSI.

H2S Positive : Si Ed poop Salmonella.

Si : Citrobacter
Ed: Edwardsiella
Poop: Proteus
Salmonella typhi
H2S (+) is black and a poop is somehow black

What is the organism that causes/ is associated with Cystic Fibrosis?

Possible answers: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia

Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

Friday, October 16, 2015

Recommended Sites for ASCPi Exam Review

When I reviewed for the ASCPi examination, these are the sites that I frequented:

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. God bless you all!

These are the recalls that I have gathered from various sites. As I answered and reviewed the recalls, there were some wrong answers for those that had answers on it already so kindly do your own research on the exact answers of the recalls. Happy studying!

CLICK ME TO DOWNLOAD THE COMPILED RECALLS

EDIT 11/10/18: I removed the link since it is simply not right to post recalls. Anyway, if you need help or advice, just shoot me a message here. =)

HEMATOLOGY: Question 1

What is the screening test for sickle cell disease?

ANS: SOLUBILITY TEST

PRINCIPLE:

Hemoglobin S is less soluble in a reducing agent than other forms of hemoglobin.

NOTES:

The solubility test is the most common screening test for sickle cell or presence of HbS. It is based on the relative insolubility of HbS when combined with a reducing agent such as sodium dithionite. When anticoagulated blood is mixed the reducing agent, the red cells will lyse due to the presence of saponin and the hemoglobin in the red cells will be released.

The solubility test cannot be used to differentiate sickle cell disease (homozygous for HbS) from sickle cell trait (heterozygous for HbS).

Hemoglobin electrophoresis is considered the diagnostic procedure and is especially important considering that there are other hemoglobin variants that will also cause a positive solubility test, such as HbC Harlem.

If HbS is present, it will form liquid crystals and give a cloudy or turbid appearance to the solution. If HbS is not present, the solution will appear transparent.

SOURCES OF ERROR:

A patient with an exceptionally high hematocrit may give a false positive result, while an individual with a very low hemoglobin may give a falsely negative result.
Unstable hemoglobins may give a false positive result.
False positives can occur with elevated plasma proteins and lipids.

source: shp.utmb.edu