Laboratory Chemical, Supplies and Equipment

• What is the purpose of clinical chemistry?

  To facilitate the correct performance of analytic procedures that yield accurate and precise information, aiding patient diagnosis and treatment
• What is the role of clinical laboratory scientists?

  To correctly use basic supplies and equipment and possess an understanding of fundamental concepts critical to any analytic procedure
• What are the two components of quantitative laboratory results?

  • Actual Value
  • Unit
• When was the Systeme International d’Unites (SI) adopted internationally?

  In 1960
• Why is the Systeme International d’Unites (SI) preferred in scientific literature and clinical laboratories?

  Because it is the only system used in many countries and is based on the metric system
• What are the characteristics of Analytical Reagent (AR) grade chemicals?

  • Established by the American Chemical Society (ACS)
  • Labels state actual impurities or maximum allowable impurities
  • Suitable for most analytical laboratory procedures
  • Essential for accuracy in qualitative and quantitative analyses
• What are some uses of Analytical Reagent (AR) grade chemicals?

  Trace metal analysis and preparation of standards
• What is the purpose of Ultrapure (UP) chemicals?

  • Undergo additional purification steps
  • Used in specific procedures such as chromatography, atomic absorption, immunoassays, and molecular diagnostics
• What does the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and National Formulary (NF) provide?

  Standards for manufacturing drugs that are approved for human consumption
• What are the limitations established for USP and NF chemicals based on?

  On the criterion of not being injurious to individuals
• What is the difference between Chemically Pure (CP) chemicals and Analytical Reagent (AR) grade chemicals?

  • CP chemicals do not state impurity limitations
  • Preparation of CP chemicals is not uniform
  • Purity is usually determined by melting or boiling point analysis
• Why are Technical or Commercial grade chemicals not used in clinical laboratories?

  Because they are primarily used in manufacturing
• What are the types of organic reagents mentioned?

  • Practical Grade
  • Chemically Pure
  • Spectroscopic
  • Chromatographic
  • Reagent Grade
• What is a Primary Standard in laboratory measurements?

  NIST-certified Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) or Certified Reference Material (CRMs)
• What are the ACS purity tolerances for primary standards?

  100 ± 0.02%
• How is a Secondary Standard defined?

  A substance or chemical of lower purity with concentration determined by comparison with a primary standard
• What is the most frequently used reagent in the laboratory?

  Water
• What are the processes of purifying water mentioned?

  • Distillation
  • Ion Exchange
  • Reverse Osmosis
• What is the result of the distillation process?

  Distilled water
• What does the ion exchange process produce?

  Deionized water
• How does reverse osmosis purify water?

  By pumping water across a semipermeable membrane
• What are the categories of water according to CLSI?

  • Clinical Laboratory Reagent Water (CLRW)
  • Special Reagent Water (SRW)
  • Instrument Feed Water
  • Water Supplied by Method Manufacturer
  • Autoclave and Wash Water
  • Commercially Bottled Purified Water
• What is Type I water used for?

  For test methods requiring minimum interference such as trace metal, iron, and enzyme analyses
• What is Type II water acceptable for?

  Most analytic requirements, including reagent, quality control, and standard preparation
• What is Type III water also known as?

  Autoclave wash water
• What are the characteristics of high thermal resistant glass?

  • Low borosilicate glass with low alkali content
  • High degree of thermal resistance
  • Resistant to heat, corrosion, or thermal shock
  • Commonly used in volume measurement
• What are some common brands of high thermal resistant glass?

  Pyrex and Kimax
• What is high silica glass used for?

  • High precision analytical work
  • Optical reflectors and mirrors
  • Can withstand high temperatures (900-1200 degrees C)
• What is low actinic glass used for?

  To protect reagents that are highly sensitive to light
• What is standard flint glass or soda-lime glass used for?

  Manufacturing weighing bottles
• What are the uses of special glasses mentioned?

  • Colored and opal glasses: Used in light fitters, lamp bulbs, and lighting lenses
  • Coated glassware: Used for electronic applications as heat shields
  • Optical glasses: For making prisms, lenses, and optical mirrors
• What are the advantages of plasticware over glassware in laboratories?

  • Easier to use
  • Inexpensive
  • Disposable, preventing cross-contamination
• What are the properties of polyolefins?

  • Relatively inert properties (not reactive)
  • Unaffected by acids, alkali, salt solutions, and aqueous solutions
  • Can be autoclaved
• What are the two types of polyethylene mentioned?

  Conventional and linear
• What are the characteristics of polycarbonate resin?

  • Twice as strong as polypropylene
  • Usable at temperatures ranging from 100 °C to 160 °C
  • Unsuitable for use with bases such as amines and ammonia
• What are the properties of Tygon plastic?

  • Non-toxic and clear
  • Flexible at 30 °C, brittle at 45 °C
  • Can be autoclaved or chemically sterilized
• What are the characteristics of Teflon-fluorocarbon resin?

  • Inert to corrosive reagents
  • Can resist extreme temperatures from -270°C to +255°C
  • Used in cryogenic experiments
• What are the three major types of thermometers mentioned?

  • Liquid-in-glass thermometers
  • Digital thermometers
  • Infrared thermometers
• What is chloride used for in laboratory settings?

  Chloride is used to handle most chemicals.
• Why should chloride not be subjected to prolonged immersion in certain solvents?

  Because it can degrade when exposed to aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, and esters.