Free ASCP Medical Laboratory Technician Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In contrast to relatively stable levels of cholesterol, HDL, or LDL in the blood, triglyceride blood concentrations are significantly affected by food intake. Because eating a meal high in fat raises your triglyceride levels, it's crucial to have the patient fast before the sample is taken. <br>
Which of the following serum samples from non-fasting patients would be expected to have FALSELY elevated lipid results?
- HDL
- LDL (not calculated)
- triglyceride (Correct answer)
- cholesterol
Correct answer: triglyceride
Triglyceride levels are significantly affected by recent food intake, especially meals high in fat. After a meal, triglycerides are absorbed and transported in chylomicrons, leading to a temporary elevation in blood concentration. Therefore, a non-fasting sample will result in a falsely elevated triglyceride level, making fasting a critical pre-analytical requirement for accurate measurement.
Question 2: Mycotic keratitis is most likely linked to a Fusarium species. <br>
A skin infection that commonly affects the feet and causes scaling and itching is called tinea pedis and is caused by the dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum. Scedosporium apiospermum is commonly associated with sinusitis. Otitis externa is typically brought on by Aspergillus niger, and sinusitis may also be a side effect. <br>
Which of the following species or organisms is the most likely to be the cause of mycotic keratitis (fungal eye infection)?
- Fusarium species (Correct answer)
- Aspergillus niger
- Scedosporium apiospermum
- Trichophyton rubrum.
Correct answer: Fusarium species
Fusarium species are well-established and common causes of mycotic keratitis, which is a fungal infection of the cornea. These fungi are ubiquitous in the environment and can cause infections, particularly after ocular trauma or contact lens use. The other options are associated with different types of fungal infections, as described in the question's preamble.
Question 3: Which of the following measures could lessen the chance that a patient would contract an infection acquired in the hospital?
- Pre-surgical testing
- Proper handwashing procedure (Correct answer)
- Antibiotic therapy
- Chemotherapy
Correct answer: Proper handwashing procedure
Proper handwashing procedure is the single most effective measure to prevent the spread of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), also known as nosocomial infections. Healthcare workers' hands are a primary vehicle for transmitting microorganisms between patients and surfaces. Adhering to strict hand hygiene protocols significantly reduces the risk of pathogen transmission and patient infection.
Question 4: Whereas the heavy chains, light chains, hinge regions, and Fab portions of immunoglobulin cannot, the Fc portion can activate the classical complement pathway. <br>
Which immunoglobulin molecule component is necessary for complement activation?
- Hinge regions
- light chains
- Fab
- Fc (Correct answer)
- heavy chains
Correct answer: Fc
The Fc (Fragment crystallizable) portion of an immunoglobulin molecule is crucial for activating the classical complement pathway. This region, located at the constant domain of the heavy chains, contains binding sites for complement proteins, particularly C1q. When antibodies bind to antigens, the Fc region undergoes a conformational change, exposing these sites and initiating the complement cascade.
Question 5: The iris diaphragm will open up as the magnification _________
- decrease (get smaller) (Correct answer)
- stay the same
- increase (get bigger)
- none of the above
Correct answer: decrease (get smaller)
When the magnification of a microscope decreases, the field of view becomes wider, and more light is collected by the objective lens. To ensure proper illumination and maintain optimal contrast for viewing the larger field, the iris diaphragm should be opened up. This allows more light to pass through the specimen, preventing the image from appearing too dim.
Question 6: The temperature is 20 degrees Celsius. Convert it to Fahrenheit.
- 68 degrees F (Correct answer)
- 77 degrees F
- 14 degrees F
- 39.2 degrees F
Correct answer: 68 degrees F
To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit, the formula F = (C * 9/5) + 32 is used. For 20 degrees Celsius, the calculation is (20 * 9/5) + 32. This equals (36) + 32, which results in 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
Question 7: Which of the following types of testing facilities must sign up for a proficiency testing program that has CLIA approval?
- Waived
- Highly complex
- Moderately complex
- both moderately and highly complex (Correct answer)
Correct answer: both moderately and highly complex
Under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) regulations, all laboratories performing moderately complex and highly complex testing must enroll in and successfully participate in a CLIA-approved proficiency testing (PT) program. This requirement ensures the accuracy and reliability of laboratory results by regularly comparing a lab's performance to that of other labs using the same tests. Waived tests are exempt from this specific PT requirement.
