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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
HTEC D085A
Course Title (CB02)
Clinical Chemistry I Laboratory
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
This course allows the student hands-on practice of the fundamental clinical chemistry topics presented in the co-requisite course, Clinical Chemistry I Lecture. Laboratory activities include solving laboratory math problems, performing and interpreting dilutions, evaluating QC data, and employing specimen suitability in the chemistry laboratory. Basic chemistry instrumentation will be used to measure a cross-section of analytes covered in the Clinical Chemistry I Lecture. Instrumentation includes Point of Care, spectrophotometry, Ion Selective Electrode, and high-performance liquid chromatography. Correlating test results with disease states will be accomplished. Successful completion of this course and Clinical Chemistry I Lecture is required to enroll in Clinical Chemistry II Lecture and Clinical Chemistry II Laboratory.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is CSU transferable and part of a CTE program. This is a course that was developed based on the National Accrediting Agency of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and California State Department of Public Health accreditation standards required for Medical Laboratory Technicians' training programs. This course belongs on the Certification of Proficiency-Advanced. This course is designed to introduce the student to basic laboratory techniques used in the chemistry department of a clinical laboratory.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
1.5
Maximum Credit Units
1.5

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours0.00.0
Laboratory Hours4.50.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
0.0
Laboratory
54.0
Total
54.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
0.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
0.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

HTEC D085C

Advisory(ies)

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

Students must read, agree and submit the essential form. This form states that you meet the basic skills needed to successfully perform laboratory testing. Forms can be found on the MLT website.

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Use of visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Laboratory experience which involve students in formal exercises of data collection and analysis

Laboratory discussion sessions and quizzes that evaluate the proceedings weekly laboratory exercises

Assignments

  1. Readings from the required text, laboratory manual and supplemental sources.
  2. Complete laboratory worksheets that include observations, experimental results and critical analysis of data.
  3. Perform laboratory procedures as outlined in the laboratory manual.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Class activity - Discussions and oral question and answer sessions that test comprehension and require synthesis and application of course material.
  2. Lab activity - Practice and demonstration of techniques in the student laboratory designed to demonstrate critical thinking skills and to problem solve as required in the assignments and experimental investigations.
  3. Problem solving - Case studies and analyzing unknown samples evaluate the students ability to apply critical thinking skills to a clinical situation.
  4. Skill Demonstration - Laboratory practical examinations demonstrating the student's ability to integrate the knowledge acquired in the course with the technical skills necessary for the MLT profession.
  5. Written Assignments - Laboratory worksheets requiring students to apply technical concepts taught in this course to given situations and scenarios.
  6. Objective test - Written test examination requiring students to apply technical concepts taught in this class to given situations and scenarios.
  7. Quizzes - Quizzes designed to cover each laboratory session will measure the student's ability to apply recently presented course material on a routine basis and help identify any areas that may need extra attention.
  8. Comprehensive Final Exam - Written test and hands on demonstration of proper laboratory technique requiring the student to demonstrate their ability to summarize, integrate and critically analyze concepts examined throughout the course.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials
  • ±·´Ç²Ô±ð.Ìý
Essential College Facilities
  • Laboratory classroom equipped with some automated chemistry instrumentation, POC instrumentation and general laboratory supplies needed for a clinical chemistry laboratory class

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Bishop, Michael L., Fody, Edward P., Van Siclen, Carleen, Mistler, James March, Moy, MichelleClinical Chemistry Principles, Techniques, and CorrelationsJones & Bartlett Learninig2023/ 9th Edition13 978-149335586
Doucette, Lorrain J.Mathematics for the Clinical LaboratoryElsevier2021/ 4th Edition978-0323-55482-4

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

None.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Practice the use of Standard Precautions as they apply in the chemistry laboratory according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates.
  • Demonstrate safe use and disposal of biohazardous materials.
  • Demonstrate, by performance, a working knowledge of basic laboratory mathematics necessary to perform tests, make dilutions and prepare solutions.
  • Evaluate the difference in specimen types and how they affect chemistry analysis as part of the pre-analytical phase.
  • Explain the principle of spectrophotometry and its applications in clinical chemistry.
  • Practice quality assurance and quality control in the chemistry student laboratory.
  • Practice the use of Point of Care instrumentation assigned in the student chemistry laboratory.
  • Use Ion Selective Electrodes (ISE) to measure electrolytes, acid-base conditions and blood pH.
  • Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography,(HPLC) perform Hemoglobin A1c determinations.

CSLOs

  • Practice proper application of OSHA standards as appropriate in the chemistry laboratory.

  • Use proper techniques to perform serial dilution.

  • Using a spectrophotometer and proper techniques, dilute a given standard to establish a calibration curve. Analyze and determine the concentration of an unknown sample using the curve.

Outline

  1. Practice the use of Standard Precautions as they apply in the chemistry laboratory according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates.
    1. Demonstrate the basic aspects of infection control policies by:
      1. Using Standard Precautions when handling all laboratory specimens.
      2. Using proper handwashing technique.
      3. Choosing appropriate person protective equipment for working in the clinical laboratory.
      4. Selecting proper glove size to be used during laboratory sessions and demonstrating proper removal and disposal of soiled gloves.
    2. Relate the importance of a safety program as defined in the Safety Manual (lab manual for this course) by supplying the correct answer to questions or by demonstration of appropriate actions related to prepared simulations.
    3. Explain the pre and post exposure prophylactic measures for handling potential occupational transmission of certain pathogens.
    4. Select, prepare and use proper disinfectants to decontaminate the work area when a hazardous spill has occurred or when beginning or ending a laboratory session.
    5. Explain the basic steps to first-aid.
    6. Locate, describe and/or explain the following:
      1. Evacuation routes
      2. Biohazardous material
      3. Blood borne pathogens
      4. Standard Precautions
      5. Aerosols
      6. SDS (Safety Data Sheets)
  2. Demonstrate safe use and disposal of biohazardous materials.
    1. Describe how to properly segregate and dispose of various types of waste products generated in the clinical laboratory, including:
      1. Use of sharp containers for needles, lancets, glass and other sharps.
      2. Use of biohazard disposal bags for specimen, glove and other contaminated material disposal.
    2. Demonstrate, via weekly performance, proper disposal of biological specimens, soiled gloves and sharps, as instructed by procedure or instructor.
  3. Demonstrate, by performance, a working knowledge of basic laboratory mathematics necessary to perform tests, make dilutions and prepare solutions.
    1. Identify, select and properly use glassware as instructed.
    2. Convert units within the metric system in order to solve mathematical problems presented by the instructor.
    3. Calculate mathematical simulations as described.
    4. Pipette a stated amount of dye into a volumetric flask and then accurately dilute to the specific volume.
    5. Demonstrate correct pipetting techniques and correct dilution techniques using serological, volumetric and automatic pipettes provided.
    6. Prepare solutions of various concentrations and dilutions following the procedure in the laboratory manual or per instructor instructions.
    7. Conclude which piece of laboratory glassware is more accurate by: measuring a specified amount of water into a beaker then transferring it to a graduated cylinder and observing the result.
  4. Evaluate the difference in specimen types and how they affect chemistry analysis as part of the pre-analytical phase.
    1. Identify patient variables that may affect laboratory results for specific tests.
    2. Choose proper blood collection tubes and draw order for chemistry tests.
    3. Identify proper blood collection sites given patient scenarios.
    4. Describe proper sample transportation, processing and storage.
    5. Distinguish between horizontal and fixed angle centrifugation and time requirements prior to
    6. Observe specimens and identify those displaying hemolysis, lipemia, icterus
    7. Identify which blood collection tubes yield plasma and those producing serum.
    8. Identify the differences between whole blood drawn in a blood collection tube vs. the fingerstick technique.
    9. Differentiate between venous, arterial, and capillary blood collection techniques.
    10. Choose correct blood collection tubes (anticoagulant or serum separator tubes) for specified tests.
    11. List laboratory criteria for rejection of specimens
    12. Match requisitions with the correct blood samples.
    13. Centrifuge specimens provided and separate cells from plasma or serum.
    14. Label patient samples according to proper protocol.
  5. Explain the principle of spectrophotometry and its applications in clinical chemistry.
    1. State Beer's law and use it to calculate analyte concentration.
    2. Convert transmittance to absorbance and calculate concentration.
    3. Calculate, prepare, and measure the absorbance of serial dilutions of a given dye solution on the spectrophotometer. Construct a standard curve from your data.
    4. Calibrate two laboratory pipettes following the gravimetric procedure in your laboratory manual.
    5. Calculate the precision and accuracy  of your test pipettes and conclude if your pipette is within acceptable limits as outlined in the procedure.
    6. Perform spectrophotometric chemistry assays (endpoint and kinetic) as assigned. Plot standard curves on graph paper, determine control and unknown patient values.
    7. Classify your patient test results as normal or abnormal.
    8. Correlate patient test results with possible disease states.
  6. Practice quality assurance and quality control in the chemistry student laboratory.
    1. Test standards and controls and use the results to evaluate the validity of your laboratory analysis.
    2. Select control material suitable to laboratory assays.
    3. Construct and chart a Levey-Jennings graph for control ranges as instructed.
    4. Document and state which Westgard rules have been violated for each data point.
    5. Calculate internal quality control ranges.
      1. Use raw data to calculate a new control range for each control used in the laboratory exercise.
      2. Compare the newly calculated range to the insert and and discuss the differences and why they exist.
      3. Construct a new Levey-Jennings charts. Analyze the difference, if any, identify out of control situations.
  7. Practice the use of Point of Care instrumentation assigned in the student chemistry laboratory.
    1. Demonstrate by discussion and correct answers the principles, procedures, expected results, quality control, sensitivity and specificity of each chemistry method assigned.
    2. Perform glucose testing using serum and whole blood samples. Record your results and conclusions.
    3. Perform linearity, quality control and test patient samples on all point of care instrumentation available in the student chemistry laboratory. Record your results.
  8. Use Ion Selective Electrodes (ISE)  to measure electrolytes, acid-base conditions and blood pH.
    1. Perform Sodium, Potassium and Chloride determinations using ISE methodologies.
    2. Perform blood gas determinations using the i-STAT
    3. Measure blood pH using pH meter and ISE technology
  9. Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography,(HPLC) perform Hemoglobin A1c determinations.
    1. Trace the flowpath of the HPLC instrument.
    2. Check off maintenance procedures.
    3. Perform a component change on the HPLC instrument.
    4. Perform QC, and dilutions using HPLC methodology.
    5. Identify normal and abnormal results.
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