8/18/2019 Clinical biochemistry past papers (essays).pdf

1/5

 

Part 1 examination

Clinical Biochemistry: First paper

Tuesday 24 March 2015

Candidates must answer FOUR questions ONLY  

Time allowed: Three hours

1. It has been suggested that in general, biochemical results from your laboratory shouldbe copied to patients. Discuss the issues surrounding this and the ways in which thesemay be addressed.

2. Using examples as appropriate, describe the use of enzymes as reagents in clinicalbiochemistry, including the advantages and disadvantages of their use.

3. Compare and contrast the methods available for measurement of cortisol in biological

fluids.

4. Outline the mechanisms involved in the regulation of plasma hydrogen ionconcentration, and describe the abnormalities that can affect this.

5. A 32-year old man is found, during a private health screen, to have an Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) activity 3.1-times higher than the local upper reference limit.State a logical course of investigation for this (including non-biochemical investigationswhere appropriate) and explain the rationale underlying this.

6. Write a detailed description of Apolipoprotein B100 metabolism, and the ways in whichthis can be influenced by drug therapy.

8/18/2019 Clinical biochemistry past papers (essays).pdf

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Part 1 examination

Clinical Biochemistry: First paper

Tuesday 23 September 2014

Candidates must answer FOUR questions ONLY  

Time allowed: Three hours

1. The major Biochemistry analyser in a large District General Hospital needs replacement.Describe the factors you will consider when writing a specification and reviewing tenders forthe replacement.

2. Describe the components of liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy systems and thefactors affecting their optimisation. What are the benefits and problems of liquidchromatography-mass spectroscopy as an analytical technique?

3. Write a critical discussion of the methods available for measurement of creatinine in serum.

4. Describe the aetiology, pathogenesis and biochemical investigation of malabsorption.

5. Describe the emergency biochemical investigation of a 2-day old infant with seizures.

6. Describe the aetiology, investigation and management of renal calculi.

8/18/2019 Clinical biochemistry past papers (essays).pdf

3/5

 

Part 1 examination

Clinical Biochemistry: First paper

Tuesday 25 March 2014

Candidates mus t answ er FOUR quest io ns ONLY

Time allowed: Three hours

1. You have been asked to develop a business case for the introduction ofketone measurement. Describe how this service could be delivered andthe factors that you will consider in developing the business case.

2. Discuss the mechanisms of antibody interference in immunoassays, andthe effects on reported results. What approaches can be used to detectthis?

3. Write a critical account of the analytical measurement of catecholaminesand their metabolites.

4. What factors may affect drug efficacy and toxicity? Using examples asappropriate, describe how the Biochemistry Laboratory can contributetowards assessing these factors.

5. How is acute kidney injury defined? Describe its biochemical identificationand assessment.

6. Describe the differential diagnosis, investigation and management of a45-year old woman with hypercalcaemia.

8/18/2019 Clinical biochemistry past papers (essays).pdf

4/5

 

Part 1 examination

Clinical Biochemistry: First paper

Tuesday 24 September 2013

Candidates must answer FOUR questions ONLY

Time allowed: Three hours

1. Write a critical account of the costing of laboratory tests, and of theapproaches used to reduce costs. 

2. Describe the principles of gel electrophoresis, and its use in clinicalchemistry, using specific examples of analysis using different mediaand techniques.

3. Describe the methods available for measurement of testosterone and

androgen status in women.

4. Describe the mechanisms involved in the regulation of total body freewater, and briefly outline the disorders caused by defects in thesemechanisms.

5. Describe the causes of jaundice in a 50-year old woman, and discussthe biochemical, serological and other investigations that may berequired in her assessment.

6. Discuss the assessment of cardiovascular risk.

8/18/2019 Clinical biochemistry past papers (essays).pdf

5/5

 

Part 1 examination

Clinical Biochemistry: First paper

Tuesday 26 March 2013

Candidates must answer FOUR questions ONLY

Time allowed: Three hours

1. Discuss approaches that the laboratory can take for demandmanagement of laboratory tests.

2. Describe the components of liquid chromatography systems and theirroles, and discuss the factors that affect the resolution and sensitivity.

3. Critically discuss the measurement of albumin in biological fluids.

4. Outline the synthesis of thyroid hormones and its regulation; anddescribe the factors that can affect this.

5. Discuss the biochemical assessment of acute upper abdominal pain inan 18-year old girl; indicating briefly where appropriate what non-biochemical tests may be valuable.

6. Using examples as appropriate, describe the approaches available fortreating patients with inborn errors of metabolism.