ASPT ASPT Quality Assurance & Laboratory Operations 3

Question 1

What does HIPAA primarily protect in the context of phlebotomy and laboratory work?

Accepted Answer

Patient privacy and confidentiality of health information

Answer

Employee wages and benefits

Answer

Laboratory equipment from theft

Answer

Phlebotomist liability during specimen collection

Question 2

What is the minimum number of patient identifiers required before collecting a specimen according to standard safety protocols?

Accepted Answer

Two (e.g., full name and date of birth)

Answer

One (name only)

Answer

Three (name, DOB, and address)

Answer

Four (name, DOB, MRN, and insurance)

Question 3

Which action best prevents hemolysis of a blood specimen during collection?

Accepted Answer

Allowing blood to flow gently into the tube without forcing

Answer

Using a larger gauge needle

Answer

Mixing tubes vigorously after collection

Answer

Warming the collection site with a heat lamp

Question 4

What does 'turnaround time' (TAT) measure in laboratory quality assurance?

Accepted Answer

Time from specimen collection to result reporting

Answer

Time to train a new phlebotomist

Answer

Time between equipment calibrations

Answer

Time to restock supplies after inventory

Question 5

Which term describes systematic, consistent error in laboratory testing caused by faulty reagents or equipment?

Accepted Answer

Systematic error (bias)

Answer

Random error

Answer

Sampling error

Answer

Gross error

Question 6

What is the primary reason for rejecting a lipemic (visibly cloudy/milky) serum specimen for certain tests?

Accepted Answer

High lipid content can interfere with optical and photometric assay measurements

Answer

It indicates patient infection

Answer

It means the tube was filled in the wrong order

Answer

It indicates the patient did not fast properly for glucose only