CAP Pro Course - Immunology - Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and Fetal Fibronectin

Continuing Education Credits

• P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours: 1 hour(s)
• Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Science CE Credit Hours -
  General (Serology/Immunology): 1 hour(s)

Objectives

• Explain the physiologic role of hCG, and how and why this protein is measured both qualitatively and quantitatively.
• Explain the methodologies used to measure hCG.
• Explain the limitations of urine hCG testing in the clinical setting.
• Compare and contrast the use of hCG testing during pregnancy from its use as a tumor marker.
• Describe the physiology, clinical utility, and test methodology for fetal fibronectin.

Course Outline

• Explain the physiologic role of hCG, and how and why this protein is measured both qualitatively and quantitatively.
• Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
• The Beta Subunit and Pregnancy
• Measuring hCG
• A patient who became pregnant 30 days ago was tested in the lab for serum hCG and had a concentration of 280 mIU/mL. A second patient tested at the sa...
• A medical laboratory scientist is asked about the difference between their laboratory's urine and plasma hCG tests. Which of the statements below is a...
• The hormones LH, FSH, and TSH share alpha-subunit homology with hCG. Given this fact, which physiologic finding is commonly seen in the lab?
• A physician calls the lab to inquire about the serum hCG assay being used. Specifically, the physician wants to know how soon after intercourse would ...
• A patient calls the laboratory and asks, "How soon after a conception or a missed period can the laboratory tell if I am pregnant?" What would be the ...
• Explain the methodologies used to measure hCG.
• Immunoassays
• Immunoassays, continued
• Using hCG Immunoassays
• When using a qualitative hCG testing device, which of the following is not true?
• A laboratory using an immunometric (sandwich) assay for hCG has a problem with the wash step after adding the secondary (reporter) antibody. Which of ...
• Urine creatinine can be used to augment an hCG test in which of the following ways?
• Which is the recommended specimen for urine hCG testing?
• Explain the limitations of urine hCG testing in the clinical setting.
• Limitations with hCG Assays: Heterophile Antibodies
• False-Negatives
• Hook Effect
• Caveats with hCG testing
• Which of the following definitions correctly describes a heterophile antibody?
• A laboratory supervisor is working with the surgery department to define a pre-surgical workup testing panel. Which of the statements below should be ...
• While working in the laboratory, a medical laboratory scientist receives a phone call from a nurse in the Emergency Department. The nurse is angry and...
• What should be done if a medical laboratory technician suspects a heterophile antibody is present?
• Compare and contrast the use of hCG testing during pregnancy from its use as a tumor marker.
• hCG as a Tumor Marker
• Other sources of hCG
• A medical laboratory scientist receives a call from a physician who accidentally ordered serum hCG testing on her 59-year-old patient. Interestingly, ...
• Why is finding pituitary-secreted hCG significant?
• Which of the following is not a physiologic source of hCG?
• Describe the physiology, clinical utility and test methodology for fetal fibronectin.
• Predicting delivery
• Fetal Fibronectin
• Which of the following statements is true?
• A medical laboratory scientist is asked to explain the result of a positive fFN test. Which of the following would be a correct response?
• In which of the following scenarios would it be appropriate for the laboratory to perform fetal fibronectin testing?
• References
• References

Additional Information