NMCB Licensure Exam flashcards
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32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Beer-Lambert law
- Absorbance equals molar absorptivity times path length times concentration. Absorbance is directly proportional to analyte concentration, enabling quantitative spectrophotometry when the relationship remains linear.
- Michaelis constant Km
- The substrate concentration at which reaction velocity is half of maximal. A low Km indicates high enzyme affinity for substrate, while a high Km indicates lower affinity.
- Serum osmolality formula
- Calculated osmolality equals twice the sodium concentration plus glucose divided by 18 plus BUN divided by 2.8, all in mg/dL. A measured value exceeding calculated suggests unmeasured osmoles.
- Reference interval definition
- The range containing the central 95 percent of values from a healthy reference population, leaving 2.5 percent below and 2.5 percent above the stated limits.
- Coefficient of variation
- Standard deviation divided by the mean, multiplied by 100 and expressed as a percentage. It compares assay precision across methods with different units or magnitudes.
- Westgard 1-3s rule
- A single control value exceeding three standard deviations from the mean. It serves as a warning rule prompting inspection of other control results before rejecting the run.
- Delta check
- A comparison of a current patient result with a previously reported value. Exceeding a preset absolute or percentage difference prompts specimen and patient identification review before reporting.
- Gram stain mechanism
- Crystal violet and iodine form a complex retained by thick peptidoglycan in gram-positive cells. Alcohol decolorizes thin-walled gram-negative cells, which then take the safranin counterstain.
- Coagulase test
- A test detecting the enzyme that converts fibrinogen to fibrin. Coagulase positivity distinguishes Staphylococcus aureus from coagulase-negative staphylococci such as S. epidermidis.
- IgM versus IgG
- IgM is a pentamer produced first in primary infection and is efficient at complement activation. IgG is monomeric, crosses the placenta, and predominates in secondary responses.
- Complement classical pathway
- Activated by antigen-bound IgG or IgM engaging C1q. The cascade generates C3 convertase, promoting opsonization, inflammation, and membrane attack complex formation.
- MacConkey agar purpose
- A selective and differential medium containing bile salts and crystal violet that inhibit gram-positive organisms. Lactose fermenters form pink colonies; non-fermenters remain colorless.
- Anion gap calculation
- Sodium minus the sum of chloride and bicarbonate, normally about 8 to 12 mmol/L. An elevated gap indicates unmeasured anions such as ketones, lactate, or toxins.
- Corrected calcium formula
- Measured calcium plus 0.8 times the difference between 4.0 and the albumin concentration in g/dL. It adjusts total calcium for albumin binding when albumin is abnormal.
- MCV calculation
- Hematocrit divided by red cell count, multiplied by 10, reported in femtoliters. It classifies anemia as microcytic, normocytic, or macrocytic and guides further testing.
- INR formula
- The patient prothrombin time divided by the mean normal prothrombin time, raised to the ISI power. It standardizes warfarin monitoring across different thromboplastin reagents.
- Iron deficiency anemia indices
- Microcytic anemia with low serum ferritin, low iron, and elevated total iron-binding capacity. Anemia of chronic disease instead shows low TIBC with normal or elevated ferritin.
- PT versus aPTT
- Prothrombin time assesses the extrinsic and common pathways. Activated partial thromboplastin time assesses the intrinsic and common pathways. Both are prolonged by common-pathway factor deficiencies.
- Informed consent elements
- Disclosure of purpose, procedures, risks, benefits, and alternatives, plus confirmation of the patient's understanding and voluntary right to refuse or withdraw without penalty.
- Mandatory confidentiality exception
- Confidentiality may be breached when legally required, such as reportable communicable diseases, suspected abuse, or court order, or to prevent serious imminent harm to others.
- Scope of practice rule
- Personnel perform only procedures for which they hold documented training, current competency, and institutional authorization. Performing unauthorized testing violates licensure and accreditation standards.
- Error disclosure obligation
- Clinically significant erroneous results must be corrected, documented, and communicated promptly to the responsible clinician so patient care decisions can be revised.
- Turnaround time measure
- The interval from order or specimen collection to result verification and reporting. Laboratories typically monitor the 90th percentile to capture clinically important delays.
- Six Sigma metric
- Total allowable error minus method bias, divided by the standard deviation. Higher values indicate fewer defects and permit reduced quality control frequency under validated plans.
- Cost per reportable test
- The sum of reagent, labor, and allocated overhead costs divided by the number of reportable tests. It excludes repeat and quality control testing from the denominator.
- Proficiency testing failure
- Unsatisfactory performance requires root-cause investigation, documented corrective action, and retraining if indicated. Consecutive failures may trigger regulatory sanctions or loss of accreditation.
- Standard precautions
- Treating all blood, body fluids, and nonintact skin as potentially infectious. Gloves, gowns, and eye protection are selected according to anticipated exposure risk.
- Biosafety level 2
- The level applied to most clinical specimens, requiring limited access, biological safety cabinets for aerosol-generating work, and standard plus transmission-based precautions.
- Safety data sheet
- A standardized document listing chemical hazards, exposure limits, first aid, spill response, and handling requirements. It must be accessible to all staff working with the chemical.
- Sharps disposal rule
- Used needles and lancets go immediately into rigid, puncture-resistant, closable containers located near point of use. Hand recapping is prohibited; single-hand scoop technique or devices are used.
- RACE fire response
- Rescue anyone in danger, activate the alarm, confine the fire by closing doors, then extinguish or evacuate. It structures the immediate response sequence in a laboratory fire.
- Post-exposure needlestick protocol
- Immediately wash the site, report the exposure, and obtain prompt evaluation including source testing and prophylaxis for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C per institutional protocol.