Practice Test Geeks(CPC) Certified Professional Collector Practice Test
← All CPC Flashcard Decks

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

  1. What certification must a laboratory hold to perform federally regulated workplace drug testing under DOT?

    Answer: HHS (SAMHSA) certification as a National Laboratory Certification Program (NLCP) certified laboratory

    Only laboratories certified under the HHS National Laboratory Certification Program (NLCP) are authorized to analyze federally regulated drug test specimens.

  2. What is the primary testing method used by certified laboratories as the initial screen for drug metabolites in urine?

    Answer: Immunoassay

    Immunoassay is the standard initial screening method because it is fast, cost-effective, and capable of processing high volumes of specimens.

  3. What confirmatory testing method is required under HHS guidelines when an initial immunoassay screen is positive?

    Answer: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

    GC-MS or LC-MS/MS is required for confirmation because mass spectrometry identifies and quantifies specific drug metabolites with high specificity, eliminating false positives.

  4. Why is a split specimen collected under DOT regulations?

    Answer: To allow the donor to request independent retesting of the B specimen if they dispute the primary result

    The split specimen (Bottle B) gives the donor the right to request an independent retest at a different NLCP-certified laboratory if they dispute the initial positive, adulterated, or substituted result.

  5. How long must a laboratory retain a confirmed positive specimen before it may be discarded?

    Answer: At least one year from the date of the laboratory report

    HHS guidelines require that confirmed positive specimens be retained for at least one year to allow time for litigation or retesting disputes.

  6. What is the purpose of a laboratory's quality control (QC) samples in the drug testing process?

    Answer: To verify that the analytical equipment and procedures are performing accurately and within acceptable limits

    QC samples, including positive controls and negative controls, are run with each batch of specimens to confirm that the testing system is functioning correctly.