FREE CVA Laboratory Sample Handling Questions and Answers

Question 1

A veterinary assistant is preparing a serum separator tube (SST) for analysis. After the blood is drawn, what is the correct next step to ensure proper separation of the serum?

Accepted Answer

Allow the tube to stand upright at room temperature for 30 minutes to clot.

Answer

Centrifuge the tube immediately at high speed.

Answer

Place the tube in the refrigerator for 10 minutes before centrifuging.

Answer

Gently shake the tube for 15 seconds to mix the clot activator.

Question 2

Which of the following is the most critical piece of information to include when labeling a urine sample collected via cystocentesis that will be sent to an external lab for culture?

Accepted Answer

The patient's name, owner's name, and collection method.

Answer

The time of day the sample was collected.

Answer

The patient's current medications.

Answer

The volume of urine collected.

Question 3

A client brings in a fecal sample for parasite analysis that has been in a sealed plastic bag in their warm car for the entire day. What is the primary concern with this sample?

Accepted Answer

Parasite eggs may have hatched or larval forms may have degraded, leading to a false negative result.

Answer

The sample will be too dry to process correctly.

Answer

Zoonotic bacteria will have been killed by the heat.

Answer

The plastic bag will have leached chemicals into the sample.

Question 4

When preparing a blood smear slide using the wedge technique, what is the most common cause of creating a smear that is too thick and short?

Accepted Answer

Using a spreader slide angle that is too high (e.g., 50 degrees).

Answer

Using a spreader slide angle that is too low (e.g., 25 degrees).

Answer

Pushing the spreader slide too quickly.

Answer

Using a drop of blood that is too small.

Question 5

Which of the following blood collection tubes contains EDTA as the anticoagulant and is primarily used for a Complete Blood Count (CBC)?

Accepted Answer

Lavender (purple) top tube

Answer

Green top tube

Answer

Red top tube

Answer

Blue top tube

Question 6

A veterinary assistant is packaging a blood sample to be shipped to a diagnostic laboratory. According to standard guidelines, what constitutes the 'triple packaging' system?

Accepted Answer

A leak-proof primary container, a leak-proof secondary container with absorbent material, and a rigid outer box.

Answer

A plastic bag, an envelope, and a cardboard box.

Answer

The blood tube, a padded envelope, and a biohazard bag.

Answer

A styrofoam cooler, bubble wrap, and a sealed plastic container.