Laboratory Operations and QC Flashcards
7 cards from real Medical Laboratory Technician Exam practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Laboratory Operations and QC flashcards as text
A new lot of QC material is being validated. The laboratory should establish the mean and SD by running the QC material at least:
Answer: 20 times over multiple days
At least 20 replicates run over multiple days are recommended to establish reliable QC mean and SD values.
Which specimen type is most appropriate for glucose testing when the sample cannot be processed within 30 minutes?
Answer: Plasma in a sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate tube
Sodium fluoride inhibits glycolysis, preserving glucose concentrations in plasma when processing is delayed.
The linear range of an assay refers to the concentration interval over which:
Answer: The assay produces results directly proportional to analyte concentration
The linear range is the analyte concentration interval where instrument response is directly proportional to concentration.
A laboratory receives a proficiency testing result of 'unacceptable' for a glucose analyte. The FIRST corrective action should be to:
Answer: Investigate the cause before resuming patient testing
The first step after an unacceptable PT result is root cause investigation; patient testing should be evaluated for impact.
Which of the following is an example of a pre-analytical error?
Answer: Hemolysis caused by difficult venipuncture
Hemolysis from traumatic venipuncture occurs before the sample reaches the analyzer, making it a pre-analytical error.
A reference interval is established using samples from:
Answer: Apparently healthy individuals representative of the test population
Reference intervals are derived from healthy, asymptomatic individuals who represent the population for whom the test is intended.
Under CLIA, a laboratory performing only CLIA-waived tests must:
Answer: Follow the manufacturer's instructions for test performance
CLIA-waived laboratories must follow manufacturer instructions; they are exempt from most other CLIA requirements.