Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This course will continue with an introduction into the field of clinical laboratory science. The study of hematology includes blood collection, coagulation, hematocrits, erythrocyte sedimentation rates and hemoglobin assessment. The introduction to clinical chemistry includes an explanation of standard curves, quality control, laboratory statistics, carbohydrates and creatinine. Students will be expected to properly perform laboratory exercises related to the subject matter discussed.

Obtain blood specimens, and using appropriate laboratory techniques perform basic hematology and chemistry procedures using the necessary controls, standards, and instrumentation. Properly calculate (if necessary) and record the laboratory data obtained.

The material in this course will be presented in a traditional classroom, or distance-learning format. The course includes required laboratory activities. Traditional classroom instruction consists of discussion, digital images, diagrams, web based instructional media and other educationally sound practices. Distance learning courses are primarily web based with additional multimedia used as needed. Distance learning classes require periodic campus based laboratory exercises. A laboratory manual will be provided. The laboratory exercises provide an opportunity for students to employ the testing principles and methodologies discussed and allow for discussion, application and correlation the concepts presented.  The student is expected to perform all laboratory procedures according to the criteria established by the department.

The instructor will outline the methods used to evaluate student progress and the criteria for assigning a grade at the beginning of the course. Assessment methods may include written and practical examinations, homework assignments and discussion activities. Evaluation of problem solving skills, teamwork, attendance, participation, laboratory performance and communication skills may also be included.  Extra credit will not be available.  All laboratory exercises must be completed satisfactorily to achieve a passing grade. All discussion activities and homework assignments, must be turned in on time. Three late discussion or homework assignments will result in the lowering of the grade by one letter.

EXPECTED STUDENT COMPETENCIES: 

• Explain the basic principles of spectrophotometry including: the purpose of a standard curve and spectral transmittance curve, Beer's Law, blanks, standards, and colored solutions. Identify and explain the function of various parts of a spectrophotometer and demonstrate proper care and usage of the instrument.
• Construct and demonstrate the use of a standard curve.
• Describe a Gaussian distribution curve and explain the terms "mean", "frequency" and "standard deviation". Describe the purpose of and calculate for standard deviation. 
• Explain the purpose of a quality control solution. Describe how confidence limits are determined and discuss their significance in the clinical laboratory.
• Describe and perform a venipuncture and discuss the various types of collection tubes.
• Prepare and state the criteria for an acceptable peripheral blood smear.
• Explain the structure, function, physiology, testing methodologies and diseases associated with hemoglobin.
• Define, state the normal reference range of values and discuss the principle of the hematocrit and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). State the purpose and identify diseases associated with the hematocrit and ESR.
• Perform a hemoglobin and hematocrit test.
• Describe in detail the procedure utilized for manual white blood cell, red blood cell, and platelet counts.
• Perform and discuss the purpose of the WBC, RBC and platelet count.
• Discuss the structure, function, metabolism, physiology, testing methodologies, and diseases related to carbohydrates and creatinine. Perform a creatinine and blood glucose test.
• Discuss the role of platelets and clotting factors in coagulation. Name each clotting factor and describe diseases associated with deficiencies of each factor. Explain the coagulation cascade process and describe the principle and purpose of the activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time.