Medical Technologist Test Medical Technologist Knowledge 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which blood component is separated by centrifugation to yield a product used for treating thrombocytopenia?
- Fresh frozen plasma
- Cryoprecipitate
- Platelet concentrate (Correct answer)
- Packed red blood cells
Correct answer: Platelet concentrate
Platelet concentrate is obtained by centrifugation of whole blood and is transfused to treat thrombocytopenia or platelet dysfunction.
Question 2: In hemoglobin electrophoresis at alkaline pH, which hemoglobin migrates to the same position as HbS?
- HbA
- HbC
- HbD (Correct answer)
- HbE
Correct answer: HbD
HbD co-migrates with HbS at alkaline pH, so acid electrophoresis or HPLC is needed to distinguish them.
Question 3: A reagent strip leukocyte esterase test is positive but the microscopic exam shows no WBCs. The most likely explanation is:
- Contamination with vaginal secretions (Correct answer)
- Renal tubular acidosis
- Glucosuria
- Hemoglobinuria
Correct answer: Contamination with vaginal secretions
Vaginal secretions can contribute leukocyte esterase activity, causing a false-positive result without true pyuria.
Question 4: The INR (International Normalized Ratio) is calculated to standardize which coagulation test?
- Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
- Prothrombin time (PT) (Correct answer)
- Thrombin time (TT)
- Fibrinogen assay
Correct answer: Prothrombin time (PT)
INR normalizes the PT using the International Sensitivity Index (ISI) of the thromboplastin reagent used.
Question 5: Which organism is associated with urease production, is a common cause of peptic ulcers, and requires special culture conditions?
- Escherichia coli
- Helicobacter pylori (Correct answer)
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Proteus mirabilis
Correct answer: Helicobacter pylori
Helicobacter pylori produces urease and requires microaerophilic conditions and extended incubation (3–7 days) for culture.
Question 6: A patient with type O blood receives type A blood. The antibody responsible for hemolytic transfusion reaction is:
- Anti-D (IgG)
- Anti-A (IgM) (Correct answer)
- Anti-Kell
- Anti-Duffy
Correct answer: Anti-A (IgM)
Type O individuals have naturally occurring IgM anti-A antibodies that cause immediate intravascular hemolysis against type A cells.
Question 7: The creatinine clearance formula estimates which physiologic parameter?
- Tubular secretion rate
- Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (Correct answer)
- Renal plasma flow
- Urine osmolality
Correct answer: Glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
Creatinine clearance is used as a surrogate for GFR because creatinine is freely filtered and minimally secreted by the glomerulus.
Medical Technologist Test Medical Technologist Knowledge 3
Which blood component is separated by centrifugation to yield a product used for treating thrombocytopenia?