Medical Technologist Test Analyzing Medical Technologist 2

Question 1

Which coagulation test is most affected by a short draw in a citrate tube?

Accepted Answer

PTT

Answer

PTT is most sensitive to the citrate-to-blood ratio, so a short draw falsely prolongs the result.

Question 2

A patient's serum potassium is 6.8 mEq/L but the patient shows no clinical symptoms. What is the first action?

Accepted Answer

Check specimen for hemolysis

Answer

Hemolysis releases intracellular potassium and is the most common cause of spuriously elevated potassium.

Question 3

On a peripheral blood smear, which finding is MOST consistent with megaloblastic anemia?

Accepted Answer

Hypersegmented neutrophils

Answer

Hypersegmented neutrophils (≥5 lobes) are a hallmark of megaloblastic anemia due to B12 or folate deficiency.

Question 4

A Gram stain shows gram-positive cocci in clusters. Which organism is MOST likely?

Accepted Answer

Staphylococcus aureus

Answer

Staphylococcus species characteristically appear as gram-positive cocci in clusters on Gram stain.

Question 5

Which urinalysis finding indicates a urinary tract infection caused by Proteus mirabilis?

Accepted Answer

Alkaline pH with ammonia odor

Answer

Proteus mirabilis produces urease, which splits urea into ammonia, raising urine pH and producing an ammonia odor.

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