Diagnostic Biochemistry Quizzes: Master Clinical Biochemistry Concepts

Question 1

Which analyte is specifically indicative of muscle damage?

Accepted Answer

Aspartate aminotransferase

Answer

Alanine aminotransferase

Answer

Lactate dehydrogenase

Answer

Gamma-glutamyl transferase

Question 2

Which of the following is a primary marker of impaired renal function?

Accepted Answer

Blood urea nitrogen

Answer

Albumin

Answer

Sodium

Answer

Chloride

Question 3

Which enzyme is a specific indicator of cardiac muscle damage?

Accepted Answer

Troponin I

Answer

Creatine kinase

Answer

Lactate dehydrogenase

Answer

Myoglobin

Question 4

Which hormone is primarily used to assess thyroid function?

Accepted Answer

Thyroid-stimulating hormone

Answer

Thyroid hormone

Answer

Triiodothyronine

Answer

Calcitonin

Question 5

A patient with suspected acute myocardial infarction (MI) undergoes a cardiac troponin I test. Which of the following interpretations of the test result is most likely indicative of an acute MI?

Accepted Answer

Cardiac troponin I levels significantly above the reference range with a rising trend

Answer

Cardiac troponin I levels below the reference range

Answer

Cardiac troponin I levels slightly above the reference range

Answer

Cardiac troponin I levels significantly below the reference range with a falling trend

Question 6

A patient with suspected renal disease has a urine sample analyzed for protein content. Which of the following results is most likely indicative of nephrotic syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Proteinuria of greater than 3.0 g/24 h

Answer

Proteinuria of less than 0.5 g/24 h

Answer

Proteinuria of between 0.5 g/24 h and 1.0 g/24 h

Answer

Proteinuria of between 1.0 g/24 h and 3.0 g/24 h

Question 7

A patient with suspected iron deficiency anemia undergoes a complete blood count. Which of the following results is most likely indicative of iron deficiency anemia?

Accepted Answer

Decreased hemoglobin, decreased red blood cell count, decreased hematocrit

Answer

Decreased hemoglobin, increased red blood cell count, increased hematocrit

Answer

Decreased hemoglobin, decreased red blood cell count, increased hematocrit

Answer

Increased hemoglobin, increased red blood cell count, decreased hematocrit

Question 8

A patient with suspected acute pancreatitis undergoes a serum lipase test. Which of the following interpretations of the test result is most likely indicative of acute pancreatitis?

Accepted Answer

Serum lipase levels significantly above the reference range

Answer

Serum lipase levels below the reference range

Answer

Serum lipase levels slightly above the reference range

Answer

Serum lipase levels significantly below the reference range

Question 9

Which of the following is the most commonly employed method for measuring creatinine levels in the clinical laboratory?

Accepted Answer

Enzymatic assay

Answer

Immunoassay

Answer

Spectrophotometry

Answer

Gas chromatography

Question 10

A patient with suspected liver disease exhibits an elevated serum bilirubin level. Which type of bilirubin is most likely elevated?

Accepted Answer

Conjugated bilirubin

Answer

Unconjugated bilirubin

Answer

Both unconjugated and conjugated bilirubin

Answer

Neither unconjugated nor conjugated bilirubin

Question 11

In a patient with suspected kidney dysfunction, an elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level is observed. Which of the following is the most probable cause?

Accepted Answer

Reduced glomerular filtration rate

Answer

Increased protein catabolism

Answer

Excessive hydration

Answer

Diminished urea synthesis

Question 12

For the diagnosis of myocardial infarction, which enzyme assay is most commonly employed?

Accepted Answer

Creatine kinase (CK)

Answer

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)

Answer

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)

Answer

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

Question 13

A patient suspected of having a thyroid disorder presents with an elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level. Which of the following thyroid disorders is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Hypothyroidism

Answer

Hyperthyroidism

Answer

Euthyroidism

Answer

Graves' disease

Question 14

A patient suspected of having a kidney stone exhibits increased urine calcium levels. Which of the following conditions is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Hyperparathyroidism

Answer

Vitamin D deficiency

Answer

Hypothyroidism

Answer

Renal tubular acidosis

Question 15

Which of the following causes is most commonly responsible for acute renal failure among hospitalized patients?

Accepted Answer

Prerenal azotemia (decreased blood flow to the kidneys)

Answer

Intrinsic renal disease (direct damage to the kidneys)

Answer

Postrenal obstruction (blockage of urine flow)

Answer

Glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidney filters)

Question 16

A positive troponin test strongly suggests:

Accepted Answer

Myocardial infarction (heart attack)

Answer

Angina pectoris (chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart)

Answer

Heart failure (inadequate pumping of blood by the heart)

Answer

Pericarditis (inflammation of the heart's outer lining)

Question 17

The thyroid hormone's primary function is to:

Accepted Answer

Regulate metabolism

Answer

Stimulate bone growth

Answer

Control electrolyte balance

Answer

Maintain fluid balance

Question 18

In a peripheral blood smear, the characteristic finding of sickle cell anemia is:

Accepted Answer

Sickle-shaped red blood cells

Answer

Increased white blood cell count

Answer

Decreased platelet count

Answer

Neutrophilic inclusions

Question 19

What is the primary function of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the human body?

Accepted Answer

Mineralization of bones and teeth

Answer

Digestion of carbohydrates

Answer

Detoxification of xenobiotics

Answer

Breakdown of proteins

Question 20

Which of the following symptoms is NOT indicative of hypoglycemia?

Accepted Answer

Increased blood sugar levels

Answer

Blurred vision

Answer

Rapid heart rate

Answer

Sweating

Question 21

What is the standard international (SI) unit of measurement for creatinine?

Accepted Answer

mmol/L

Answer

mg/dL

Answer

U/L

Answer

g/L

Question 22

Which of the following conditions is a common cause of elevated liver enzyme levels?

Accepted Answer

Viral hepatitis

Answer

Congestive heart failure

Answer

Hypothyroidism

Answer

Sickle cell anemia

Question 23

What is the primary purpose of a glucose tolerance test?

Accepted Answer

To evaluate insulin resistance or glucose intolerance

Answer

To diagnose type 1 diabetes

Answer

To monitor blood glucose levels in pregnancy

Answer

To detect hypoglycemia

Question 24

Where is apolipoprotein B primarily synthesized in the human body?

Accepted Answer

Liver

Answer

Small intestine

Answer

Muscle

Answer

Adipose tissue

Question 25

Which of the following statements is NOT true about the roles of serum albumin?

Accepted Answer

Synthesis of triglycerides

Answer

Transport of fatty acids

Answer

Binding and transport of hormones

Answer

Regulation of fluid balance

Question 26

A patient with suspected renal dysfunction has an elevated serum creatinine level. Which of the following is the most likely underlying condition?

Accepted Answer

Renal dysfunction

Answer

Dehydration

Answer

Hepatic dysfunction

Answer

Hyperthyroidism

Question 27

Which liver enzyme is a specific marker for hepatocyte damage?

Accepted Answer

Alanine aminotransferase

Answer

Creatine kinase

Answer

Alkaline phosphatase

Answer

Amylase

Question 28

A patient with suspected hypercalcemia has a serum calcium level of 10.5 mg/dL. Which of the following hormones is most likely involved in this condition?

Accepted Answer

Parathyroid hormone

Answer

Calcitonin

Answer

Adrenocorticotrophic hormone

Answer

Insulin

Question 29

A patient has a urine pH of 9.0. Which of the following acid-base imbalances is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Metabolic alkalosis

Answer

Metabolic acidosis

Answer

Respiratory acidosis

Answer

Respiratory alkalosis

Question 30

Which of the following is a potential complication of severe hypernatremia?

Accepted Answer

Seizures

Answer

Hypovolemic shock

Answer

Metabolic acidosis

Answer

Hyponatremia

Question 31

What is the normal range for blood glucose in a fasting individual?

Accepted Answer

70-110 mg/dL

Answer

120-160 mg/dL

Answer

180-220 mg/dL

Answer

240-280 mg/dL

Question 32

What is the significance of a decreased anion gap in metabolic acidosis?

Accepted Answer

It indicates a high concentration of unmeasured anions.

Answer

It indicates a normal acid-base balance.

Answer

It suggests the presence of a metabolic alkalosis.

Answer

It is a sign of severe metabolic acidosis.

Question 33

What is the most common cause of hypokalemia?

Accepted Answer

Diuretic use

Answer

Hypoaldosteronism

Answer

Metabolic acidosis

Answer

Hyperglycemia

Question 34

Increased levels of which liver enzyme are most indicative of cholestasis?

Accepted Answer

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)

Answer

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

Answer

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)

Answer

Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)

Question 35

What is the most prevalent type of anemia characterized by hypochromia and microcytosis?

Accepted Answer

Iron deficiency anemia

Answer

Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia

Answer

Folate deficiency anemia

Answer

Aplastic anemia

Question 36

Which of the following inflammatory markers is particularly sensitive to bacterial infections?

Accepted Answer

Procalcitonin

Answer

C-reactive protein (CRP)

Answer

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

Answer

Interleukin-6 (IL-6)

Question 37

Which of the following is NOT a known risk factor for coronary artery disease?

Accepted Answer

Regular physical exercise

Answer

Hypercholesterolemia

Answer

Smoking

Answer

Obesity

Question 38

What is the primary purpose of the glomerular filtration barrier?

Accepted Answer

To filter out waste products from the blood

Answer

To prevent protein loss in urine

Answer

To regulate blood pressure

Answer

To produce urine

Question 39

What is the most common cause of hypercalcemia?

Accepted Answer

Primary hyperparathyroidism

Answer

Vitamin D deficiency

Answer

Renal failure

Answer

Cancer

Question 40

Which biochemical test is specifically indicative of acute pancreatitis?

Accepted Answer

Serum amylase

Answer

Liver function tests

Answer

Urine glucose

Answer

Serum creatinine

Question 41

Which biochemical marker is a reliable indicator of hepatocyte damage?

Accepted Answer

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

Answer

Creatine kinase

Answer

Hemoglobin

Answer

Sodium

Question 42

A patient suspected of renal impairment has a serum creatinine level of 2.5 mg/dL. What does this result suggest?

Accepted Answer

Mild to moderate renal dysfunction

Answer

Acute kidney injury

Answer

Severe renal dysfunction

Answer

Normal renal function

Question 43

Which of the following biochemical tests is primarily used to monitor electrolyte balance?

Accepted Answer

Serum electrolyte panel

Answer

Urinalysis

Answer

Blood gas analysis

Answer

Lipid profile

Question 44

In a patient with a history of cardiovascular disease, an elevated serum cholesterol level is most likely due to increased levels of which lipid fraction?

Accepted Answer

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)

Answer

Phospholipids

Answer

High-density lipoprotein (HDL)

Answer

Triglycerides

Question 45

Which biochemical marker is primarily used to diagnose autoimmune diseases?

Accepted Answer

Antinuclear antibodies (ANA)

Answer

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

Answer

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)

Answer

C-reactive protein (CRP)

Question 46

Which biochemical test is primarily used to assess thyroid function?

Accepted Answer

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)

Answer

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)

Answer

Prolactin

Question 47

In a patient suspected of adrenal insufficiency, a low serum cortisol level would most likely be accompanied by elevated levels of which hormone?

Accepted Answer

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Answer

Insulin

Answer

Growth hormone

Answer

Testosterone

Question 48

Which biochemical marker is most specific for the detection of liver damage?

Accepted Answer

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

Answer

Troponin

Answer

Creatinine kinase (CK)

Answer

Amylase

Question 49

Which of the following is a major cause of pre-renal azotemia?

Accepted Answer

Dehydration

Answer

Polycystic kidney disease

Answer

Glomerulonephritis

Answer

Pyelonephritis

Question 50

Which of the following hematological parameters is most sensitive for the early detection of iron deficiency?

Accepted Answer

Serum ferritin

Answer

Hemoglobin

Answer

Transferrin saturation

Answer

Mean corpuscular volume (MCV)

Question 51

In a patient with suspected acute pancreatitis, which additional test would be most helpful in establishing the diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Serum lipase

Answer

Serum C-reactive protein (CRP)

Answer

Serum trypsin

Answer

Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)

Question 52

Which biochemical marker is considered the most reliable indicator of bone metabolism?

Accepted Answer

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)

Answer

Calcium

Answer

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Answer

Vitamin D