CAP Pro Course - Urinalysis - Serous and Synovial Fluid Analysis

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Author: Andrea Gordon, M.Ed., MT(ASCP)SH
Reviewer: Margaret Reinhart, MS, MT(ASCP)

Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Describe the formation and function of synovial fluid and relate laboratory findings to various synovial fluid disorders.
  • Describe the formation and function of serous body fluids and relate laboratory findings to various serous fluid disorders.
  • Identify and explain how to perform identified laboratory test procedures that are utilized for evaluation of serous and synovial fluids.
  • Identify cells that are normally seen in serous and synovial fluids and distinguish malignant from benign serous fluid cells.

Course Outline

  • Describe the formation and function of synovial fluid and relate laboratory findings to various synovial fluid disorders.
      • Synovial Fluid Formation and Function
      • Classifications of Synovial Fluid Disorders
      • Synovial fluid with a total nucleated cell count of 125/µL and less than 25% neutrophils would be expected in a synovial fluid from a patient wit...
      • As a product of a non-selective, hydrostatic process across the synovial membranes, the fluid contains many elements found in normal blood plasma. Whi...
      • Which of the following would be expected laboratory findings of a synovial fluid due to traumatic injury?
      • Which of the following disorders could produce a milky-appearing synovial fluid?
  • Describe the formation and function of serous body fluids and relate laboratory findings to various serous fluid disorders.
      • Serous Fluid Formation
      • Pathologic Causes of Serous Effusions
      • Transudates and Exudates
      • Laboratory Differentiation Between Transudates and Exudates
      • Which of the following results will most likely be present in an effusion due to a damaged pleural space membrane with a localized infection?
      • Approximately 250 mL of pleural fluid collected from a 72-year-old woman with a history of metastatic breast cancer is delivered to the lab for analys...
  • Identify and explain how to perform identified laboratory test procedures that are utilized for evaluation of serous and synovial fluids.
      • Serous Fluid Cell Counts
      • Synovial Fluid Cell Counts
      • Manual Cell Counts
      • Automated Body Fluid Cell Counting
      • Body Fluid Smear Preparation
      • Synovial Fluid Crystal Identification
      • You are asked to identify the crystals in a synovial fluid sample from a patient with chronic episodes of gout and inflammation. The microscope is set...
      • A bloody synovial fluid is received in the laboratory for analysis. It was loaded onto a hemocytometer undiluted, and noted that a dilution as well as...
      • A slide was prepared on a pericardial fluid by placing 2 drops of fluid into the cytocentrifuge cylinder and setting the centrifuge at the speed and t...
      • Pleural fluid is received in the lab with an order for cell count and differential. The fluid is yellow and clear with fair viscosity. It was loaded o...
  • Identify cells that are normally seen in serous and synovial fluids and distinguish malignant from benign serous fluid cells.
      • Serous Fluid Normal Cell Identification
      • Synovial Fluid Cell Identification
      • Characteristics of Benign and Malignant Cells in Serous Fluids
      • Nuclear Characteristics of Benign and Malignant Cells in Serous Fluid
      • Cytoplasmic Characteristics of Benign and Malignant Cells in Serous Fluids
      • Characteristics That Distinguish Mesothelial Cells From Malignant Cells
      • The image shown was made from a cytocentrifuged pericardial fluid. The total cell count, performed using a hemocytometer, was 25,000/cu mm. Which of t...
      • The following image represents a cytocentrifuge preparation of a pleural fluid. The technologist is struggling to differentiate these cells from norma...
      • The cell in the following image was discovered in a synovial fluid. Indicate which of the following conditions may be associated with this finding.
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: This program is designed as an educational and training tool for MLS, MT, and MLT personnel, medical laboratory science students and interns, pathology residents, and practicing pathologists.
Author Information: Andrea G. Gordon, M.Ed, MT(ASCP), SH has over 25 years of experience as a Program Director for various laboratory science programs. She has approximately 5 years experience as an administrator in higher education as a VP and Director of Education. Additionally, she has over 15 years of experience as a volunteer for NAACLS.
Reviewer Information: Margaret Reinhart, MS, MT(ASCP) is a Senior Lecturer in Biological Sciences at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia PA where she teaches hematology, clinical immunology, parasitology, and other related courses. She was the MLS Program Director there for 30 years. She is also an adjunct instructor in Hematology at Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia PA. She holds a Masters Degree in Biology and in Health Care Administration.

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