ISAC Laboratory Safety and Procedures 3

Question 1

Which class of laser used in flow cytometers poses the greatest ocular risk from specular reflections even at low power?

Accepted Answer

Class 3B

Answer

Class 3B lasers can cause immediate eye injury from direct or specular (mirror-like) reflections and require appropriate laser safety eyewear at all times.

Question 2

When disposing of sharps used in flow cytometry sample preparation (e.g., needles for sample loading), what is the maximum fill level for a sharps container before it must be sealed?

Accepted Answer

75%

Answer

Sharps containers must be sealed and replaced when they reach the 75% fill line to prevent needle-stick injuries from overfilling.

Question 3

A cytometry technician is setting up a cell-sorting experiment with viable human tumor cells. Which additional safety measure is required compared to standard analytical cytometry?

Accepted Answer

Use of a Class II Type A2 BSC and aerosol management system on the sorter

Answer

Cell sorting of viable human cells generates aerosols; ISAC guidelines require a Class II BSC enclosure or aerosol management system on the cell sorter.

Question 4

What does the term 'universal precautions' mean in the context of a clinical flow cytometry laboratory?

Accepted Answer

Treating all human blood and body fluid samples as potentially infectious

Answer

Universal precautions require treating all human blood and body fluids as infectious regardless of the patient's known disease status.

Question 5

Which regulatory body in the United States sets the occupational exposure limits (OELs) for chemical hazards such as formaldehyde used in cytometry labs?

Accepted Answer

OSHA

Answer

OSHA establishes permissible exposure limits (PELs) for workplace chemicals including formaldehyde (1 ppm TWA, 2 ppm STEL).

(ISAC) International Society for the Advancement of Cytometry Practice Test

(ISAC) International Society for the Advancement of Cytometry Practice Test

ISAC Laboratory Safety and Procedures 3