Specimen Handling & Processing Flashcards
7 cards from real CET practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Specimen Handling & Processing flashcards as text
If a specimen is accidentally dropped on the floor before being placed in formalin, what is the correct action?
Answer: Discard it and collect another specimen if possible; document the incident
A contaminated dropped specimen should be discarded and replaced if clinically possible, and the incident must be documented and reported to the physician to ensure patient safety and accurate results.
Which OSHA standard primarily governs safe handling of formalin in the endoscopy suite?
Answer: Formaldehyde Standard (29 CFR 1910.1048)
OSHA's Formaldehyde Standard (29 CFR 1910.1048) specifically regulates occupational exposure to formaldehyde, requiring exposure monitoring, PPE, and engineering controls in workplaces using formalin.
When transporting a formalin-fixed specimen to the pathology department, what is the required packaging?
Answer: A leak-proof primary container inside a secondary leak-proof container, properly labeled
Biohazardous specimens must be transported in a primary leak-proof container inside a secondary leak-proof container to prevent spills and exposure, per OSHA and DOT transport guidelines.
A colonoscopy specimen is labeled 'ascending colon polyp.' The endoscopist then states it was actually from the sigmoid colon. What is the correct response?
Answer: Correct the label and requisition form, document the correction, and have the endoscopist verify and sign the change
Any correction to specimen labeling must be formally documented, and the endoscopist must verify and countersign the corrected label and requisition form to maintain an accurate legal record.
Which statement about frozen section specimens collected during endoscopy is CORRECT?
Answer: They must be immediately transported fresh to pathology on ice or dry ice for intraoperative analysis
Frozen section specimens must be transported immediately to pathology in a fresh, unfixed state because the rapid freezing and cutting process used for intraoperative analysis is incompatible with formalin fixation.
What is the maximum permissible exposure limit (PEL) for formaldehyde set by OSHA for an 8-hour time-weighted average?
Answer: 0.75 ppm
OSHA sets the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for formaldehyde at 0.75 ppm as an 8-hour time-weighted average, with a short-term exposure limit (STEL) of 2 ppm over 15 minutes.
Which of the following scenarios represents correct specimen documentation practice in an endoscopy unit?
Answer: Documenting each specimen's anatomical site, container number, and fixative in real-time during the procedure
Real-time documentation of specimen site, container number, and fixative during the procedure ensures accuracy, maintains regulatory compliance, and reduces the risk of transcription errors.