Medical Laboratory Technician Laboratory Operations and QC Questions and Answers Flashcards
6 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 6 Medical Laboratory Technician Laboratory Operations and QC Questions and Answers flashcards as text
A laboratory receives a proficiency testing sample that yields results outside the acceptable range. What is the appropriate first step?
Answer: Investigate the cause of the discrepancy before resuming patient testing
When proficiency testing results fall outside acceptable ranges, the laboratory must investigate the root cause before continuing patient testing to ensure accurate results.
Which document defines the step-by-step procedure for performing a specific laboratory test?
Answer: Standard operating procedure
A standard operating procedure (SOP) provides detailed, step-by-step instructions for performing a specific laboratory test consistently.
What is the primary purpose of running a blank sample during analytical testing?
Answer: To detect contamination or background interference
A blank sample contains no analyte and is used to detect contamination or background signal that could interfere with accurate patient results.
In a Westgard multirule QC system, a 2-2s violation occurs when which of the following is observed?
Answer: Two consecutive controls exceed 2 standard deviations on the same side of the mean
A 2-2s violation is triggered when two consecutive control results both exceed 2 standard deviations from the mean on the same side, indicating systematic error.
Which type of error is best detected by analyzing a trend of control values that progressively shift in one direction over several days?
Answer: Systematic error
A progressive shift in control values over time indicates systematic error, often caused by reagent deterioration or calibration drift.
What is the minimum frequency for verifying the temperature of a laboratory refrigerator used to store reagents, according to standard laboratory practice?
Answer: Daily
Laboratory refrigerators storing reagents and specimens must have their temperatures checked and recorded daily to ensure proper storage conditions.