4 Hepatic, Cardiac, and Endocrine Studies Free Online FlashCards

How should laboratory results be compared with reference intervals?

Compare results with the reference interval on the patient’s report and with prior results when available; intervals vary by laboratory, assay, and patient context.

What does an ALT- and AST-predominant elevation suggest?

A pattern dominated by ALT and AST elevation suggests predominantly hepatocellular injury.

What is the priority when acute liver-test abnormalities accompany new confusion and prolonged INR?

Promptly escalate the new confusion and abnormal INR for urgent evaluation; together with acute liver injury, they can indicate acute liver failure.

What can a changing serial troponin result indicate?

A rise or fall can indicate acute myocardial injury. Interpret serial values using the assay, timing, symptoms, ECG, and clinical presentation.

What does high TSH with low free T4 generally indicate?

A high TSH with a low free T4 generally indicates primary hypothyroidism.

What does low morning cortisol with hypotension, hyponatremia, and hyperkalemia raise concern for?

It raises concern for adrenal insufficiency. In a hypotensive patient, promptly escalate for urgent evaluation and treatment.

Does one result outside its reference interval establish a diagnosis?

No. An out-of-range result is not, by itself, a diagnosis; interpret it alongside clinical context and other results.

Does the magnitude of an aminotransferase elevation measure liver damage?

No. The size of an aminotransferase elevation does not, by itself, measure the extent of liver damage.

What pattern does elevated ALP with increased direct bilirubin suggest?

A disproportionately elevated ALP with increased direct bilirubin suggests a cholestatic pattern, which can occur when bile formation or flow is impaired.

Why does an elevated ALP not always indicate a liver source?

ALP can also come from bone. Other results and the clinical picture help identify the source.

Does an elevated troponin alone confirm myocardial infarction?

No. Troponin elevation signals myocardial injury but does not by itself identify the cause or prove myocardial infarction.

What does an elevated BNP contribute to evaluating shortness of breath?

It can support heart failure as a cause of symptoms, but BNP is not diagnostic alone; interpret it with the clinical picture and other testing.