Mixed Deck — All ISAC Topics Flashcards

What should a ISAC professional do when they encounter a situation beyond their competence?

Answer: Refer to a qualified specialist or seek additional training

Recognizing the limits of ones competence and making appropriate referrals is a fundamental professional responsibility.

In panel design, a bright fluorochrome like PE should ideally be assigned to which type of marker?

Answer: Dimly expressed or rare markers

Assigning bright fluorochromes like PE to dimly expressed antigens maximizes signal from those targets and improves their detection above background.

What is the primary purpose of the ISAC certification program?

Answer: To validate professional competence and knowledge in the field

The ISAC certification validates that professionals have demonstrated the knowledge and skills required for competent practice.

What is a tandem dye in flow cytometry?

Answer: A fluorochrome consisting of two energy-coupled dyes that shift emission to a longer wavelength

Tandem dyes couple a donor fluorochrome to an acceptor via FRET, so energy absorbed by the donor is transferred and emitted at the acceptor's longer wavelength.

In spectral flow cytometry, what replaces traditional bandpass filters for signal detection?

Answer: Prisms or diffraction gratings that disperse light across an array of detectors

Spectral cytometers use optical elements such as prisms or gratings to spread emission light across a detector array, capturing the complete emission spectrum of each event.

What should be done before operating any unfamiliar equipment?

Answer: Read the operators manual and receive proper training

Proper training and manual review are essential before operating unfamiliar equipment to prevent injury and damage.

What is the hierarchy of controls for workplace hazards?

Answer: Elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, PPE

The hierarchy of controls prioritizes the most effective methods first: eliminating the hazard is preferred over relying on personal protective equipment.

What should be done immediately after a security breach is confirmed?

Answer: Contain the breach to limit further damage

Immediately after confirming a security breach, the priority is to contain the incident to prevent further damage and limit its scope. This involves isolating affected systems, disconnecting compromised networks, or implementing temporary fixes to stop the spread of the attack. Effective containment is critical to minimize data loss, system downtime, and the overall impact on the organization.

What is the role of a code of ethics in the ISAC profession?

Answer: To guide professional behavior and protect the public interest

A code of ethics establishes expectations for professional conduct and serves as a guide for ethical decision-making.

What is the purpose of lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures?

Answer: To ensure equipment is properly shut down and cannot be restarted during maintenance

LOTO procedures prevent accidental equipment startup during maintenance or repair, protecting workers from serious injury.

What does 'unmixing' refer to in spectral flow cytometry data analysis?

Answer: A mathematical process that deconvolves overlapping spectra to quantify each fluorochrome's individual contribution

Unmixing uses reference spectra for each fluorochrome and a least-squares algorithm to separate the contributions of all fluorochromes from the composite signal detected on each event.

When two antibodies from different clones target the same antigen in a panel, what is the primary concern?

Answer: Epitope competition that reduces binding efficiency and signal from both antibodies

Two antibodies binding the same or overlapping epitopes compete for a limited number of binding sites, reducing signal from each antibody and potentially causing underestimation of antigen expression.

What characteristic makes PE (phycoerythrin) one of the most valuable fluorochromes in flow cytometry panels?

Answer: Its extremely high quantum yield and molar absorptivity resulting in exceptional brightness

PE's very high quantum yield combined with a large absorption cross-section makes it one of the brightest fluorochromes available, ideal for detecting low-abundance targets.

What is typically required to maintain ISAC certification?

Answer: Completing continuing education credits and meeting renewal requirements

Most certifications require ongoing professional development to ensure practitioners stay current in their field.

When should equipment be removed from service?

Answer: When it fails inspection, shows signs of damage, or becomes unsafe

Equipment should be removed from service at the first sign of unsafe conditions, not just when it fails completely.

Why is staying current with industry developments important for ISAC professionals?

Answer: The field evolves and practitioners must adapt to provide quality service

Fields continuously evolve with new research, technology, and best practices that affect professional competency.

A flow cytometry result for a pediatric patient is reported with the wrong patient identifier. This type of error is best classified as which category of laboratory incident?

Answer: Post-analytical error

Wrong patient identifier on a reported result is a post-analytical error because it occurs after the specimen has been analyzed and during the reporting phase.

What is the primary purpose of the ISAC certification program?

Answer: To validate professional competence and knowledge in the field

The ISAC certification validates that professionals have demonstrated the knowledge and skills required for competent practice.

What is the principle of "least privilege"?

Answer: Users should be granted the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job.

The principle of least privilege (PoLP) is a fundamental security concept that dictates users, programs, and processes should only have the bare minimum permissions required to perform their legitimate functions. This minimizes the potential damage if an account is compromised, as an attacker would only gain access to a limited set of resources. It reduces the attack surface and helps contain breaches.

Why is it important to disable unused user accounts promptly?

Answer: To prevent unauthorized access through dormant accounts

Unused or dormant user accounts pose a significant security risk because they are often forgotten, unmonitored, and may retain elevated privileges. If an attacker compromises such an account, they could gain unauthorized access to the system or network without detection. Promptly disabling or deleting these accounts removes potential entry points for malicious actors, strengthening overall security posture.