MSc in Clinical Biochemistry

West Midlands Training Course in Clinical Biochemistry & The University of Birmingham

1st Year Essay Paper 27th June 2008

Please answer one question from each module.

You will need to pass each module

Time allowed 3 hours

Module 1

1. Discuss the causes of hypocalcaemia.

2. Briefly describe the main causes of interference in immunoassays. State what may lead you to suspect interference and how you would investigate it.

Module 4

1. Describe the principles of mass spectrometry and outline the main applications of this technique in laboratory medicine.

2. Critically discuss the investigation of a case of suspected acute porphyria.

Module 5

1. Discuss the sources of variability in serum enzyme activity measurements.

2. A 32 year old woman presents with a blood pressure of 160/105 mmHg. Discuss the possible pathophysiology of the hypertension and the biochemical investigation required in the patient.

Module 6

1. Discuss the laboratory investigation of chronic liver disease.

2. Discuss the factors that need to be considered when determining reference intervals and how you would determine the reference interval for an analyte.

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