CET Specimen Handling & Processing 3

Question 1

If a specimen is accidentally dropped on the floor before being placed in formalin, what is the correct action?

Accepted Answer

Discard it and collect another specimen if possible; document the incident

Answer

Rinse it with water and place in formalin normally

Answer

Place it in formalin without informing the physician

Answer

Freeze it immediately

Question 2

Which OSHA standard primarily governs safe handling of formalin in the endoscopy suite?

Accepted Answer

Formaldehyde Standard (29 CFR 1910.1048)

Answer

Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030)

Answer

Hazard Communication Standard only

Answer

Medical Waste Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200)

Question 3

When transporting a formalin-fixed specimen to the pathology department, what is the required packaging?

Accepted Answer

A leak-proof primary container inside a secondary leak-proof container, properly labeled

Answer

A regular plastic bag is sufficient

Answer

Any container with a lid

Answer

Specimens do not need special packaging for intra-hospital transport

Question 4

A colonoscopy specimen is labeled 'ascending colon polyp.' The endoscopist then states it was actually from the sigmoid colon. What is the correct response?

Accepted Answer

Correct the label and requisition form, document the correction, and have the endoscopist verify and sign the change

Answer

Accept the verbal correction and continue without changes

Answer

Discard the specimen and collect a new one

Answer

Notify pathology verbally and make no written changes

Question 5

Which statement about frozen section specimens collected during endoscopy is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

They must be immediately transported fresh to pathology on ice or dry ice for intraoperative analysis

Answer

They are placed in formalin immediately like routine biopsies

Answer

They can wait up to 2 hours before transport

Answer

They require 70% alcohol as a fixative

Question 6

What is the maximum permissible exposure limit (PEL) for formaldehyde set by OSHA for an 8-hour time-weighted average?

Accepted Answer

0.75 ppm

Answer

0.1 ppm

Answer

1.0 ppm

Answer

2.0 ppm

Question 7

Which of the following scenarios represents correct specimen documentation practice in an endoscopy unit?

Accepted Answer

Documenting each specimen's anatomical site, container number, and fixative in real-time during the procedure

Answer

Recording specimen data after the patient is discharged

Answer

Having the front desk staff complete specimen log entries

Answer

Documenting specimens only if they are sent to an outside reference lab