Quality Control and Quality Assurance Flashcards
7 cards from real Histology Certification practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Quality Control and Quality Assurance flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of running a positive control slide in immunohistochemistry?
Answer: To confirm the antibody and detection system are functioning correctly
A positive control contains known antigen and confirms the antibody and detection system are working properly before patient results are reported.
Which organization provides the accreditation checklist most widely used for histology laboratory quality standards in the United States?
Answer: College of American Pathologists (CAP)
CAP accreditation is the gold standard for histology labs in the US, with specific checklists covering all aspects of laboratory QC and safety.
A Levey-Jennings chart is used in histology QC primarily to:
Answer: Track staining results over time to detect trends and shifts
Levey-Jennings charts plot QC data points over time, helping identify systematic trends, shifts, or random errors in staining performance.
What does 'lot-to-lot verification' mean in histology quality control?
Answer: Testing new reagent batches against established performance criteria before routine use
Lot-to-lot verification ensures new reagent batches perform equivalently to previous batches before they are introduced into routine patient testing.
When a routine H&E QC slide fails to meet acceptable standards, the first action a histotechnologist should take is to:
Answer: Investigate and identify the root cause of the failure
Root cause analysis must be performed first to determine whether the issue is with reagents, equipment, or technique before any corrective action can be taken.
Which document type formally describes the step-by-step instructions for performing a specific histology procedure to ensure consistency?
Answer: Standard operating procedure (SOP)
An SOP is the official document detailing every step of a procedure, ensuring reproducibility and consistency among all laboratory staff.
Proficiency testing (PT) in histology laboratories serves primarily to:
Answer: Compare a lab's performance against external standards and peer laboratories
Proficiency testing evaluates a laboratory's competency by having staff process and interpret externally distributed samples, comparing results to peer labs and reference standards.