CSC Drug & Alcohol Testing Protocols 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When conducting a DOT alcohol test using a breath alcohol technician (BAT) device, what BAT result requires a confirmation test?
- 0.00 g/dL
- 0.01 g/dL
- 0.02 g/dL or higher (Correct answer)
- Any non-zero reading
Correct answer: 0.02 g/dL or higher
Under 49 CFR Part 40, a screening result of 0.02 g/dL or greater requires a confirmation test on an EBT device.
Question 2: A split-specimen collection produces a 'B' specimen. When is the 'B' specimen sent to the laboratory?
- Immediately along with the 'A' specimen
- Only when the donor requests a retest after a positive result on the 'A' specimen (Correct answer)
- After the medical review officer completes review
- Only when the employer requests it
Correct answer: Only when the donor requests a retest after a positive result on the 'A' specimen
The 'B' (split) specimen is retained frozen at the primary lab and sent to a second SAMHSA-certified lab only upon the donor's timely request after receiving a positive result.
Question 3: Which panel is used for standard DOT-mandated federal workplace drug testing?
- 3-panel (THC, cocaine, opiates)
- 5-panel (THC, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, PCP) (Correct answer)
- 10-panel including benzodiazepines
- 8-panel excluding PCP
Correct answer: 5-panel (THC, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, PCP)
The DOT mandates a 5-panel test covering marijuana (THC), cocaine, opiates, amphetamines/methamphetamines, and phencyclidine (PCP).
Question 4: What must a collector do FIRST upon receiving a specimen that has an unacceptable temperature reading?
- Discard the specimen immediately
- Ask the donor if they have a medical explanation and offer an observed re-collection (Correct answer)
- Contact the MRO before proceeding
- Ship the specimen anyway with a notation on the CCF
Correct answer: Ask the donor if they have a medical explanation and offer an observed re-collection
When temperature is out of range (below 90°F or above 100°F), the collector must ask the donor for a medical explanation and conduct a new collection under direct observation.
Question 5: During a drug test collection, a donor is observed adding a substance to the specimen cup. The collector should:
- Discard the specimen and reschedule the collection
- Immediately contact law enforcement
- Discontinue the collection, note the circumstances on the CCF, and report it as a refusal to test (Correct answer)
- Ask the donor what substance was added before deciding
Correct answer: Discontinue the collection, note the circumstances on the CCF, and report it as a refusal to test
Observed adulteration is treated as a refusal to test; the collector stops the process, documents what was witnessed on the CCF, and notifies the DER.
Question 6: How long must a breath alcohol technician wait before conducting a confirmation breath alcohol test after a screening result of 0.02 or higher?
- 5 minutes
- 15 minutes (Correct answer)
- 30 minutes
- 60 minutes
Correct answer: 15 minutes
DOT requires a minimum 15-minute waiting period between the screening and confirmation EBT tests to allow any residual mouth alcohol to dissipate.
Question 7: What is the role of the Designated Employer Representative (DER) in the drug testing process?
- Conducting specimen collections in the field
- Receiving test results and taking required employment actions (Correct answer)
- Certifying laboratory testing equipment
- Reviewing chain of custody forms for accuracy
Correct answer: Receiving test results and taking required employment actions
The DER is the employer's authorized representative who receives verified test results from the MRO and takes required employment actions based on those results.
CSC Drug & Alcohol Testing Protocols 3
When conducting a DOT alcohol test using a breath alcohol technician (BAT) device, what BAT result requires a confirmation test?