ML 112 - Clinical Analysis I

Credit Hours: 2

This course introduces the student to clinical chemistry. It covers the discussion of laboratory chemicals, methods of water purification, laboratory concentration units and calculations, collection and handling of blood specimens, variation in laboratory results, quality control and reference intervals.

Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

identify which of the various grades of chemicals is suitable for use in clinical analysis and state common storage and safety precautions for laboratory chemicals;
identify the kinds of water to be used in clinical analysis and describe methods of water purification;
calculate both concentrations and content of solutions in the concentration units employed in clinical analysis;
perform dilution calculations when given appropriate information;
calculate the volumes of various stock solutions required to make working standards for a colorimetric analysis and to make solutions of acids and bases;
state whether an anticoagulant is needed in collection of a blood specimen, and if so, which anticoagulant is preferable for the particular determination;
state the precautions required in collection and handling of specimens for particular determinations;
name and describe the factors that can cause variations in laboratory results;
calculate the standard deviation, mean, median, mode, and coefficient of variation;
define the terms accuracy, precision, and reliability as they relate to clinical measurements;
state the essential characteristics of controls and explain their use in the clinical laboratory;
describe the setting-up and interpretation of quality control charts; and
discuss the development of reference (normal) ranges.

Prerequisites: High school chemistry and Algebra or CH 010/011 and BI 107.
Corequisites: CH 146 or CH 180 and MT 125 or MT 143 or permission of instructor.
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