FREE Medical Laboratory Technician Questions and Answers
What two hormones are necessary to preserve calcium homeostasis?
Explanation:
Vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) are two crucial hormones that control calcium homeostasis. Although it is a hormone, vitamin D is often referred to as a vitamin. Its active metabolite, 1,25-hydroxyvitamin D, promotes the absorption of calcium from the intestines into the bloodstream. Calcium-sensing receptors in the parathyroid glands react to high or low calcium levels by increasing or decreasing PTH secretion. PTH controls the reabsorption or release of calcium into the blood by acting on bones and kidneys. Hormones such as vasopressin, dehydroepiandrosterone, and thyroid-stimulating hormone are not involved in calcium homeostasis.
What autoimmune disease has elevated titers of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies?
Explanation:
Anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) titers are elevated in 65–85% of SLE patients. When combined with a positive anti-Sm test, elevated levels of anti-dsDNA are thought to be unique to SLE. Sjögren syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease, and progressive systemic sclerosis are some additional autoimmune conditions that have an unspecific association with anti-dsDNA. Scl-70 antibodies are related to scleroderma. Centromere antibodies are linked to CREST syndrome. Jo-1 antibodies are related to polymyositis.
Which reaction is the basis for the methodologies employed for the quantitation of bilirubin in serum/plasma samples?
Explanation:
Modern methods for measuring bilirubin are based on the Paul Ehrlich-described diazo reaction, which was first described in 1883. The total protein is calculated using the biuret method. The methodologies used to measure creatinine are based on the Jaffe reaction. To confirm the presence of hemosiderin in a urine sample, the Rous method uses a Prussian blue stain.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) testing is most frequently used to identify pregnancies, but it can also be used as a diagnostic marker for which conditions?
Explanation:
During pregnancy, trophoblasts in the placenta secrete human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), but certain tumors, such as those of the ovaries and testes, can also produce it. Therefore, in diseases like testicular cancer, ovarian cancer, and other trophoblastic diseases, hCG is used as a tumor marker. Cancers of the prostate, penis, and vagina are not connected to hCG production.
What morphological trait facilitates the differentiation of renal tubular epithelial cells from spherical forms of transitional epithelial cells?
Explanation:
The differentiation between spherically shaped transitional epithelial cells and renal tubular epithelial cells can be aided by the orientation of the cell's nucleus. In contrast to renal tubular epithelial cells, which have an eccentrically positioned nucleus, transitional epithelial cells have centrally located nuclei regardless of their cellular morphology. Both cells can have different sizes and shapes. Although vacuoles may be present in transitional epithelial cells, this is an abnormal morphological trait and wouldn't be used as a cell identification tool.
Which of the following disorders is a symptom of hypernatremia?
Explanation:
The loss of fluids from severe burns raises sodium levels. Vomiting and renal failure are linked to hyponatremia because of either a higher rate of fluid loss or a higher rate of fluid retention. The inverse relationship between the two ions in the renal tubules causes potassium deficiency to be linked to hyponatremia.
What corrective action may be necessary in order to issue a corrected laboratory report for an incorrectly reported culture ID and susceptibility?
Explanation:
Documenting the corrective steps taken, such as informing the provider who ordered the test, is necessary in order to release a corrected laboratory report. According to CLIA, laboratories must immediately inform the authorized person who ordered the test, provides them with a corrected report, and keep backup copies of both the original and corrected reports on file. Because corrected laboratory reports may represent an incident that has the potential to cause serious injury or death, facilities may also develop internal quality assurance policies that mandate filing incident reports for such incidents. Only if a medical device, such as an analyzer, was the source of the false report and if those results resulted in a person's serious injury or death, would it be necessary to submit an FDA medical device report. Only if a patient's protected health information was disclosed to a third party who was not authorized to receive it would filing a HIPAA report be necessary.