QUESTIONS

1. What is meant by venipuncture?
2. What veins are most commonly used for venipuncture in cats and dogs?
3. What is a Vacutainer?
4. What are the main advantages of vacutainers?
5. What are anticoagulants?
6. What is haemolysis?
7. List possible causes of haemolysis.
8. Describe the effects of haemolysis on a blood sample.
9. What is lipaemia?
10. What effects might lipaemia have upon a blood sample?
11. What is the difference between plasma and serum?
12. What is meant by PCV?
13. State the normal range of PCV levels in dogs and cats.
14. Why is EDTA the anticoagulant of choice for a blood sample from which a PCV measurement is to be taken?
15. In the assessment of dehydration, why is it sensible to use total plasma protein measurements in addition to PCV readings?
16. What measurements may be taken from a quantitative buffy coat (QBC) analysis?
17. Give 3 examples of Romanowsky stains.
18. Describe the principle of the Romanowsky stains.
19. What is the difference between polychromasia and hypochromasia?
20. Why are the white cells found at the tail end of blood smears?
21. For what test would you use an Improved Neubauer Haemocytometer?
22. State the 2 methods used for haemoglobin estimation.
23. What anticoagulant is used for the preservation of blood samples for biochemical tests?
24. List conditions which may contribute to raised protein levels.
25. List conditions which may contribute to lowered protein levels.
26. List conditions which may contribute to raised cholesterol levels.
27. List conditions which may contribute to lowered cholesterol levels.
28. A lowered bilirubin level has no diagnostic significance, but what conditions may contribute to a raised measurement?
29. What blood parameter may be increased if an animal suffers one or more of the following conditions:
30. What is a raised creatine kinase level usually indicative of?
31. What is the difference between blood urea and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)?
32. List conditions which may be associated with raised urea.
33. What proprietary test is available to easily confirm suspected cases of renal failure by measurement of BUN?
34. How might blood glucose levels be tested on whole blood?
35. What are the 2 main hormones involved in the control of blood glucose levels?
36. List conditions in which a raised blood glucose level may be seen.
37. List conditions in which a decreased blood glucose level may be seen.