CLC Professional Standards & Competencies 4

Question 1

A CLC is advising on laboratory test utilization management. The metric that best measures inappropriate overutilization of a specific test is:

Accepted Answer

The percentage of tests with no actionable clinical impact on the ordering record

Answer

Tracking tests that did not change clinical management identifies unnecessary testing and is the most direct measure of overutilization.

Question 2

When establishing a reference interval for a new population, the minimum recommended sample size per CLSI EP28-A3c is:

Accepted Answer

120 reference individuals

Answer

CLSI EP28-A3c recommends a minimum of 120 reference individuals to establish a valid reference interval using the non-parametric method.

Question 3

A laboratory consultant observing a quality control failure pattern where results trend in one direction over several consecutive days should suspect:

Accepted Answer

Systematic analytical error such as reagent deterioration or calibration drift

Answer

A unidirectional trend in QC data over consecutive days indicates systematic error, often related to reagent degradation, instrument drift, or calibration issues.

Question 4

Which Westgard rule signals a warning rather than a mandatory QC failure requiring investigation?

Accepted Answer

1-2s rule

Answer

The 1-2s rule (one control value exceeding ±2 SD) is a warning rule in the Westgard scheme and does not by itself require rejection of the analytical run.

Question 5

A CLC conducting a post-merger laboratory consolidation should prioritize which activity FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Conducting a regulatory compliance audit of both laboratories

Answer

Identifying any existing compliance gaps before consolidation prevents inherited regulatory liabilities from affecting the merged entity.

(CLC) Certified Laboratory Consultant Practice Test

(CLC) Certified Laboratory Consultant Practice Test

CLC Professional Standards & Competencies 4