CPC Quality Assurance & Laboratory Procedures Flashcards
6 cards from real CPC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 CPC Quality Assurance & Laboratory Procedures flashcards as text
How must a certified laboratory handle a specimen received with a broken seal or tampered packaging?
Answer: Document the condition, reject the specimen, and notify the collection site and MRO
A broken or tampered seal indicates a potential chain of custody breach; the laboratory must document and reject the specimen, then notify the MRO and collection site.
What is the purpose of the accession number assigned by the laboratory to each specimen?
Answer: To provide a unique identifier that links the specimen to the corresponding CCF and tracking records throughout the testing process
The laboratory accession number is a unique identifier that allows the laboratory to track the specimen and match results to the correct CCF without relying on donor names.
How long must a certified laboratory retain records of negative drug test results under HHS guidelines?
Answer: At least one year
HHS guidelines require negative test result records to be kept for a minimum of one year, the same retention requirement as confirmed positive specimens.
What is the significance of a laboratory's 'chain of custody' documentation from the collection site to the laboratory?
Answer: It creates an unbroken record of everyone who handled the specimen, ensuring its integrity and legal defensibility
An unbroken chain of custody from collection to laboratory analysis is essential to prove the specimen was not tampered with and that the result can be legally defended.
Under federal drug testing guidelines, what action must the laboratory take when a specimen's volume is insufficient for testing?
Answer: Report the specimen as 'quantity not sufficient' (QNS) to the MRO, who will determine next steps
When specimen volume is too low for testing, the laboratory reports QNS to the MRO, who then communicates with the employer about conducting a new collection.
What is the function of the Medical Review Officer (MRO) in relation to laboratory results?
Answer: To review laboratory results, interview donors when required, and make the final determination before reporting to the employer
The MRO is a licensed physician who reviews all non-negative laboratory results, contacts donors for legitimate medical explanations, and issues the final verified result to the employer.