Medical Laboratory Technician Exam ASCP Medical Laboratory Technician 1

Question 1

A urine specimen tested by dipstick shows a positive result for blood but microscopic examination reveals no red blood cells. Which condition best explains this discrepancy?

Accepted Answer

Myoglobinuria from rhabdomyolysis

Answer

Urinary tract infection with white cell casts

Answer

Contamination with vaginal secretions

Answer

Renal tubular acidosis

Question 2

A technician performs a reticulocyte count using new methylene blue stain and counts 25 reticulocytes per 1,000 red blood cells. In a patient with a hematocrit of 25%, what is the corrected reticulocyte count (CRC)?

Accepted Answer

1.1%

Answer

0.6%

Answer

2.5%

Answer

3.3%

Question 3

Which culture medium is both selective and differential, used to isolate gram-negative enteric organisms while distinguishing lactose fermenters from non-fermenters?

Accepted Answer

MacConkey agar

Answer

Blood agar

Answer

Chocolate agar

Answer

Thayer-Martin agar

Question 4

A serum protein electrophoresis shows a tall, narrow spike in the gamma region. Which laboratory finding would most support a diagnosis of multiple myeloma?

Accepted Answer

Bence Jones proteins in urine and rouleaux formation on peripheral smear

Answer

Decreased ESR and normal serum calcium

Answer

Elevated serum albumin with polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia

Answer

Neutrophilia with toxic granulation

Question 5

During ABO blood grouping, a patient's red cells react with anti-A but not anti-B, while the patient's serum agglutinates B cells but not A cells. What blood type does this confirm?

Accepted Answer

Type A

Answer

Type O

Answer

Type B

Answer

Type AB

Question 6

A chemistry analyzer reports a critically low sodium value of 118 mEq/L on a lipemic sample from a patient. The physician questions the result. Which pre-analytical error most likely accounts for a falsely low sodium by indirect ion-selective electrode (ISE) methodology?

Accepted Answer

Pseudohyponatremia due to volume displacement by excess lipids

Answer

Specimen hemolysis releasing intracellular sodium

Answer

Incorrect reference range for the patient's age group

Answer

Prolonged tourniquet time causing hemoconcentration