Equipment Operation & Maintenance Flashcards
7 cards from real CLT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Equipment Operation & Maintenance flashcards as text
When performing a daily function check on an automated hematology analyzer, which control material should be run first?
Answer: Normal-level control
Normal-level (mid-range) controls are typically run first to verify the analyzer is operating within the expected reference range before running abnormal controls.
A centrifuge makes an unusual grinding noise during operation. What is the FIRST action the technologist should take?
Answer: Stop the centrifuge and remove it from service for inspection
Unusual noises during centrifuge operation indicate a mechanical problem; the unit must be stopped and removed from service to prevent injury or damage.
What is the purpose of a Westgard rule (1-3s) in laboratory quality control?
Answer: It rejects a run when one control result exceeds ±3 SD
The 1-3s Westgard rule is a rejection rule triggered when any single control value falls beyond ±3 standard deviations from the mean.
Which maintenance task is MOST important to perform before storing a pH meter electrode overnight?
Answer: Rinsing the electrode with distilled water and storing in storage solution
pH electrodes must be kept hydrated; rinsing with distilled water then storing in appropriate storage solution prevents the sensing glass from drying and cracking.
A pipette calibration check shows volumes consistently delivered are 2% below the nominal volume. This represents:
Answer: Systematic error requiring pipette recalibration or replacement
A consistent bias in one direction (always low) is a systematic error, indicating the pipette needs recalibration or servicing.
During operation of an automated chemistry analyzer, a flag for 'clot detected' appears on the sample. What should the technologist do?
Answer: Visually inspect and recentrifuge the sample, then rerun
A clot can cause falsely low results; the sample should be inspected and recentrifuged (if possible) or a new specimen collected before rerunning.
What is the correct frequency for replacing the light source (lamp) in a spectrophotometer used in a clinical laboratory?
Answer: According to manufacturer guidelines and when wavelength accuracy fails verification
Lamp replacement intervals are specified by the manufacturer and should also be triggered when performance verification (wavelength accuracy or stray light checks) fails.