NHPC BMLT study plan

Map the Clinical Biochemistry syllabus into a one-page topic tree covering carbohydrate, lipid, protein, enzyme, electrolyte, acid-base, hormone and toxicology subtests

Derive and memorize reference intervals and unit conversions for the 30 most tested analytes, writing each conversion factor from SI to conventional units

Explain the analytical principle, interference and clinical use of glucose, urea, creatinine, uric acid and bilirubin assays

Solve 25 calculation items on creatinine clearance, anion gap, osmolality, LDL and corrected calcium without notes

Interpret classic biochemistry patterns: diabetic ketoacidosis, hepatic jaundice profiles, nephrotic versus nephritic patterns, and thyroid and adrenal function panels

Classify bacteria by Gram reaction, morphology, oxygen requirement and key biochemical reactions, and match each to its primary specimen

Describe culture media composition and selective or differential purpose for blood agar, MacConkey, chocolate, TCBS, LJ and Sabouraud

Perform and interpret the core identification battery: catalase, coagulase, oxidase, urease, indole, citrate, TSI and API-style reasoning

Outline virology diagnostics: specimen timing, transport, cell culture, antigen detection, serology and molecular amplification for hepatitis, HIV, dengue, influenza and SARS-CoV-2

Summarize mycology: yeast versus mould workup, germ-tube and urease tests, dimorphism, and antifungal susceptibility concepts

Summarize parasitology: stool microscopy methods, malaria thick and thin film reporting, and antigen or serology tests for the major parasites

Apply antimicrobial susceptibility testing rules: disc diffusion interpretation, MIC, ESBL, MRSA and inducible clindamycin resistance

Build a complete haematology analyser parameter table: RBC indices, WBC differential, platelet indices, and the correction formulas for nucleated RBCs and lipaemia

Explain the coagulation cascade, PT, APTT, fibrinogen, D-dimer and mixing-study interpretation for bleeding and thrombotic workups

Work through anaemia classification by morphology and reticulocyte response, and describe the laboratory diagnosis of leukaemia and myeloproliferative disorders

Apply blood transfusion science: ABO and Rh grouping, antibody screening, crossmatch, component storage and transfusion-reaction investigation

Perform urinalysis reasoning: physical, chemical and microscopic findings, and distinguish pre-renal, renal and post-renal causes of abnormal results

Interpret cerebrospinal fluid, pleural, peritoneal, synovial and seminal fluid reports using cell counts, protein, glucose, LDH and appearance criteria

Classify body fluid transudates versus exudates and identify the Light criteria and its limitations

Explain routine haematology and body fluid quality issues: sample stability, contamination, and manual versus automated counting

Describe the histopathology workflow from grossing to fixation, processing, embedding, microtomy, staining and reporting, including common artefacts and their causes

Outline cytology preparation and reporting systems, including fine-needle aspiration adequacy and the difference between screening and diagnostic cytology

Explain quality control statistics: mean, SD, CV, Levey-Jennings charts, Westgard rules, calibration and external quality assessment

Describe instrument operation and maintenance for spectrophotometers, analysers, centrifuges, autoclaves and biosafety cabinets, and outline laboratory management tasks such as SOP writing, inventory and audit

Explain innate and adaptive immunity, immunoglobulin classes, complement pathways and the principles of agglutination, precipitation, ELISA, immunofluorescence and rapid tests

Interpret serology for hepatitis markers, HIV, syphilis, dengue, rheumatoid factor, ANA and antiphospholipid antibodies, and recognize prozone and cross-reactivity pitfalls

State the ethical duties of a laboratory professional: informed consent, confidentiality, competence, error disclosure and conflict of interest

Recall legal and regulatory obligations relevant to laboratory practice, including consent exceptions, notifiable diseases, record retention, waste handling and professional misconduct consequences

Review anatomy and physiology systems at the level needed to explain laboratory findings, focusing on kidney, liver, endocrine, blood and respiratory function

Summarize pathology mechanisms: inflammation, cell injury, neoplasia, thrombosis and atherosclerosis, and link each to a laboratory marker

Recall pharmacology essentials: drug classes, mechanisms, therapeutic monitoring and common interferences with laboratory tests

Apply public health and infection control: outbreak investigation steps, sensitivity and specificity, incidence versus prevalence, standard precautions, hand hygiene and biomedical waste segregation