ASCP Technician for Medical Laboratories 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which laboratory department is responsible for performing complete blood counts (CBC)?
- Chemistry
- Hematology (Correct answer)
- Microbiology
- Urinalysis
Correct answer: Hematology
The hematology department analyzes blood cell counts, differentials, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and blood cell morphology.
The hematology department handles the CBC which includes WBC count, RBC count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, platelet count, and automated differential. Additional tests include reticulocyte count, ESR, and peripheral blood smear review. Specimens are collected in lavender-topped (EDTA) tubes.
Question 2: What is the role of a medical laboratory technician (MLT) compared to a medical laboratory scientist (MLS)?
- MLTs only collect blood while MLS performs testing
- MLTs perform routine testing under supervision while MLS performs complex testing and supervises (Correct answer)
- They perform identical roles
- MLTs work only in research while MLS works clinically
Correct answer: MLTs perform routine testing under supervision while MLS performs complex testing and supervises
MLTs (associate degree) perform routine testing under supervision, while MLS (bachelor's degree) perform complex testing and may supervise operations.
MLTs hold an associate degree and perform routine testing under MLS direction. MLS hold a bachelor's degree and perform all levels of testing including complex procedures, troubleshooting, method validation, and management. Both must be certified by ASCP or equivalent body.
Question 3: Which ASCP certification exam covers all areas of the clinical laboratory at the technician level?
- MLT(ASCP) (Correct answer)
- MLS(ASCP)
- PBT(ASCP)
- CT(ASCP)
Correct answer: MLT(ASCP)
The MLT(ASCP) certification covers hematology, chemistry, microbiology, blood bank, urinalysis, and immunology at the associate-degree level.
The MLT(ASCP) certification covers all major clinical laboratory disciplines. Eligibility requires completion of a NAACLS-accredited MLT program. ASCP also offers categorical certifications: PBT for phlebotomy technicians, CT for cytotechnologists, and specialist certifications for each department.
Question 4: A laboratory technician receives a specimen without a patient label. What is the correct action?
- Label it with information from the requisition form
- Process the specimen and note the labeling issue
- Reject the specimen and request a recollection (Correct answer)
- Call the floor and ask them to confirm the patient verbally
Correct answer: Reject the specimen and request a recollection
An unlabeled specimen must be rejected because there is no way to confirm it belongs to the correct patient.
An unlabeled specimen cannot be verified as belonging to any specific patient. The laboratory should notify the ordering unit, request a recollection, document the rejection in the LIS, and never attempt to label the specimen from the requisition (they may not match). Rejection rates are tracked as quality indicators.
Question 5: What does CLIA '88 regulate in clinical laboratories?
- Drug pricing and availability
- Quality standards for laboratory testing on human specimens (Correct answer)
- Staffing levels and work schedules
- Building codes for laboratory construction
Correct answer: Quality standards for laboratory testing on human specimens
CLIA '88 establishes quality standards for all clinical laboratory testing performed on human specimens.
CLIA covers approximately 260,000 laboratory entities with requirements including personnel qualifications, quality control, proficiency testing, quality assessment, and record retention. Laboratories are categorized by test complexity with increasing requirements at each level. Non-compliance can result in monetary penalties or revocation of the CLIA certificate.
Question 6: Which microscopic finding on a peripheral blood smear indicates iron deficiency anemia?
- Large, oval macrocytes
- Hypochromic, microcytic red blood cells (Correct answer)
- Sickle-shaped cells
- Target cells with bull's-eye pattern
Correct answer: Hypochromic, microcytic red blood cells
Iron deficiency anemia shows hypochromic (pale) microcytic (small) red blood cells because insufficient iron leads to decreased hemoglobin synthesis.
Red blood cells appear smaller than normal (MCV < 80 fL) with increased central pallor (MCHC < 32 g/dL). Additional findings include increased RDW, pencil cells, and occasional target cells. Laboratory confirmation includes low serum iron, low ferritin (most sensitive marker), elevated TIBC, and low transferrin saturation.
ASCP Technician for Medical Laboratories 2
Which laboratory department is responsible for performing complete blood counts (CBC)?