aVLKB091 Clinical Biochemistry

Faculty of Medicine
autumn 2026
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
MUDr. Lenka Gescheidtová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
MUDr. Michaela Jurčišinová (lecturer)
MUDr. Jan Kočica, Ph.D. (lecturer)
MUDr. Michaela Králíková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
MUDr. Ondřej Kyselák, Ph.D., EuSpLM (lecturer)
MUDr. Jan Novák, Ph.D. (lecturer)
MUDr. Lukáš Opatřil, Ph.D. (lecturer)
prof. MUDr. Vladimír Soška, CSc. (lecturer)
MUDr. Lukáš Tichý (lecturer)
doc. RNDr. Josef Tomandl, Ph.D. (lecturer)
prof. MUDr. Dalibor Valík, Ph.D., DABCC (lecturer)
Mgr. Ondřej Wiewiorka, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Marie Tomandlová, Ph.D. (assistant)
Guaranteed by
doc. RNDr. Josef Tomandl, Ph.D.
Department of Biochemistry – Theoretical Departments – Faculty of Medicine
Contact Person: MUDr. Michaela Králíková, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Biochemistry – Theoretical Departments – Faculty of Medicine
Prerequisites (in Czech)
aVLPF0622p Pathophysiology II - lecture || aZLPF0622p Pathophysiology II - lecture
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Abstract
Laboratory results are more than just numbers; they provide important insights that support clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic decisions. This course uses case studies and clinical scenarios to connect laboratory findings with everyday medical practice and helps students develop a practical understanding of how to interpret laboratory results in a clinical context. Attention is given to the appropriate selection of laboratory tests, their diagnostic value and limitations, and to preanalytical factors that may influence the reliability of laboratory findings.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
  • Interpret laboratory results within the clinical context, taking into account their diagnostic value, limitations, and the overall condition of the patient.
  • Select and indicate appropriate laboratory investigations in specific clinical situations.
  • Identify preanalytical and other interfering factors that may affect the reliability of laboratory results and consider them during result interpretation.
  • Use laboratory data to support clinical decision-making, particularly in differential diagnosis, the selection of further investigations, and the monitoring of treatment response.
  • Evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic significance of selected laboratory markers in common clinical conditions.
Key topics
  • How to read laboratory results: principles of interpretation, diagnostic value, and limitations of laboratory investigations
  • When laboratory results may be misleading: preanalytical errors and interfering factors
  • Water, electrolyte, and acid–base balance: practical interpretation of disorders of the internal environment
  • Kidneys under focus: laboratory evaluation of acute and chronic kidney impairment
  • Interpretation of liver function tests: laboratory approach to the differential diagnosis of hepatobiliary diseases
  • Gastrointestinal tract and pancreas: laboratory diagnostics of gastrointestinal disorders, including acute and chronic pancreatitis
  • Metabolic diseases in clinical practice: laboratory diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes mellitus and lipid metabolism disorders
  • Endocrine axes in the laboratory: interpretation of hormonal assessments and common pitfalls
  • Cardiac laboratory markers: use of laboratory tests in acute and chronic cardiovascular conditions
  • Bone and mineral metabolism: laboratory assessment of calcium and phosphate disorders, osteoporosis, and bone remodelling
  • Tumour markers and serum proteins: clinical relevance, indications, and limitations
  • Paediatric laboratory diagnostics: age-related differences and interpretation of laboratory findings in children
Study resources and literature
    required literature
  • Rajdl. D. a kol. Clinical biochemistry (e-book, formats: .pdf, .epub, .mobi) 1st ed. Prague, Karolinum Press, 2016, 426 s. ISBN: 978-80-246-3497-5. Download: https://karolinum.cz/en/books/rajdl-clinical-biochemistry-17096
    recommended literature
  • MARSHALL, William J. and S. K. BANGERT. Clinical chemistry. 6th ed. Edinburgh: Mosby, 2008, 416 s. ISBN 9780723434603. info
  • WALKER, Simon A. Lecture notes clinical biochemistry. 9th ed. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell, 2013, xii, 290. ISBN 9781118272138. info
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching
Interactive lectures incorporating clinical case studies and discussion of real laboratory findings.

Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements
Online test.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught every week.
Note related to how often the course is taught: 1st–11/12th teaching week.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
Teacher's information
Detailed information on the teaching and completion of the course is given in the Study Materials in IS MU.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2017, autumn 2018, autumn 2019, autumn 2020, autumn 2021, autumn 2022, autumn 2023, autumn 2024, autumn 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (autumn 2026, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/med/autumn2026/aVLKB091