ISAC Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield ISAC facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which of the following is essential for all documentation entries? → Date, time, signature, and credentials of the person documenting
2. Which of the following is an example of protecting data confidentiality? → Encrypting sensitive files
3. What is the purpose of conducting a post-incident analysis? → To identify lessons learned and improve future responses
4. Which methodology uses the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle? → Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)
5. What is typically required to maintain ISAC certification? → Completing continuing education credits and meeting renewal requirements
6. What is the primary purpose of the ISAC certification program? → To validate professional competence and knowledge in the field
7. What is the purpose of lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures? → To ensure equipment is properly shut down and cannot be restarted during maintenance
8. What is benchmarking in the context of quality improvement? → Comparing performance against best practices or industry standards
9. What is the primary purpose of data visualization? → To communicate complex data clearly and effectively through visual representations
10. What does the "CIA Triad" in information security stand for? → Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability
11. When designing a panel on an instrument with limited laser lines, which strategy best maximizes the number of parameters measured? → Selecting fluorochromes with widely separated emission peaks on each laser
12. Which of the following best describes a 'sentinel event' in the context of cytometry laboratory incident reporting? → An unexpected event resulting in death or serious physical harm
13. Which laser is most commonly used to excite FITC and propidium iodide (PI) in flow cytometry? → Blue laser (488 nm)
14. What should a ISAC professional do when they encounter a situation beyond their competence? → Refer to a qualified specialist or seek additional training
15. What is the difference between a histogram and a bar chart? → Histograms display continuous data distributions; bar charts compare discrete categories
16. What is a key performance indicator (KPI)? → A measurable value that demonstrates effectiveness in achieving objectives
17. In a flow cytometry laboratory, what is the primary purpose of conducting a 'failure mode and effects analysis' (FMEA) proactively? → To identify potential failure points before they cause actual incidents
18. When should equipment be removed from service? → When it fails inspection, shows signs of damage, or becomes unsafe
19. When a cytometry laboratory discovers a near-miss event involving a mislabeled specimen, what is the FIRST action that should be taken? → Document the event and notify the supervisor immediately
20. In panel design, a bright fluorochrome like PE should ideally be assigned to which type of marker? → Dimly expressed or rare markers
21. What is the importance of proper labeling in data visualizations? → Labels provide context and prevent misinterpretation of the data
22. When two antibodies from different clones target the same antigen in a panel, what is the primary concern? → Epitope competition that reduces binding efficiency and signal from both antibodies
23. When should personal protective equipment (PPE) be used? → When hazards cannot be adequately controlled through other means
24. Why is it important to disable unused user accounts promptly? → To prevent unauthorized access through dormant accounts
25. What is the hierarchy of controls for workplace hazards? → Elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, PPE
26. Why is staying current with industry developments important for ISAC professionals? → The field evolves and practitioners must adapt to provide quality service
27. What is the role of a code of ethics in the ISAC profession? → To guide professional behavior and protect the public interest
28. What is the best approach to ensure data availability in case of hardware failure? → Implementing data backups and redundancy systems
29. What role does data collection play in quality improvement? → It provides objective evidence for identifying trends and measuring progress
30. What is the principle of "least privilege"? → Users should be granted the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job.