(a) What is the difference between serum and plasma?  (b) Describe the results  (c) Plasma glucose levels lower than 20 mg/dl can be fatal. As the patient’s results did not match with her clinical presentation, the consulting biochemist decided to investigate this test, and found that the glucose analyser was giving the results in mM, but the lab assistant had assumed the results were in mg/dl. Is this error pre-analytical, analytical or post-analytical?  (d) 1 mM glucose = 18 mg/dL glucose. What is the patient’s fasting plasma glucose in mg/dL, and is it within the normal range?  (e) Describe possible consequences of this error.

Biochemistry
9th Edition
ISBN:9781319114671
Author:Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.
Publisher:Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.
Chapter1: Biochemistry: An Evolving Science
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1P
icon
Related questions
icon
Concept explainers
Question

A 44-year-old woman was experiencing headaches and fatigue. The consulting
physician recommended testing glucose and electrolytes. The results are attached in the picture below:

(a) What is the difference between serum and plasma? 
(b) Describe the results 
(c) Plasma glucose levels lower than 20 mg/dl can be fatal. As the patient’s results
did not match with her clinical presentation, the consulting biochemist decided
to investigate this test, and found that the glucose analyser was giving the
results in mM, but the lab assistant had assumed the results were in mg/dl. Is
this error pre-analytical, analytical or post-analytical? 
(d) 1 mM glucose = 18 mg/dL glucose. What is the patient’s fasting plasma
glucose in mg/dL, and is it within the normal range? 
(e) Describe possible consequences of this error. 

Analyte
Results
Reference Interval
Plasma glucose (fasting)
70-99 mg/dL
Serum Sodium
129
135-145 nM
Serum Potassium
4.2
3.5-5.5 nM
Serum Chloride
99
98-106 nM
Serum Bicarbonate
26
23-30 nM
Transcribed Image Text:Analyte Results Reference Interval Plasma glucose (fasting) 70-99 mg/dL Serum Sodium 129 135-145 nM Serum Potassium 4.2 3.5-5.5 nM Serum Chloride 99 98-106 nM Serum Bicarbonate 26 23-30 nM
Expert Solution
steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Organ system
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biochemistry and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781319114671
Author:
Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.
Publisher:
W. H. Freeman
Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry
Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781464126116
Author:
David L. Nelson, Michael M. Cox
Publisher:
W. H. Freeman
Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecul…
Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecul…
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781118918401
Author:
Donald Voet, Judith G. Voet, Charlotte W. Pratt
Publisher:
WILEY
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781305961135
Author:
Mary K. Campbell, Shawn O. Farrell, Owen M. McDougal
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781305577206
Author:
Reginald H. Garrett, Charles M. Grisham
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Fundamentals of General, Organic, and Biological …
Fundamentals of General, Organic, and Biological …
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9780134015187
Author:
John E. McMurry, David S. Ballantine, Carl A. Hoeger, Virginia E. Peterson
Publisher:
PEARSON