Medical Technologist Test Medical Technologist Terminology 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which term describes a false-positive or false-negative test result caused by interfering substances in the specimen?
- Analytical error due to matrix interference (Correct answer)
- Preanalytical variation
- Random error
- Systematic bias
Correct answer: Analytical error due to matrix interference
Matrix interference occurs when components of the specimen (e.g., bilirubin, lipids, hemoglobin) affect the analytical reaction.
Question 2: What does 'thrombocytopenia' indicate?
- Elevated platelet count
- Decreased platelet count below normal (Correct answer)
- Abnormal platelet morphology
- Increased platelet aggregation
Correct answer: Decreased platelet count below normal
Thrombocytopenia is a platelet count below the lower reference interval, increasing bleeding risk.
Question 3: The term 'reagent blank' in spectrophotometry is used to:
- Calibrate the instrument wavelength
- Zero the instrument against reagents without specimen (Correct answer)
- Measure background fluorescence
- Determine the linearity of the assay
Correct answer: Zero the instrument against reagents without specimen
A reagent blank contains all reagents but no sample, correcting for absorbance contributed by the reagents themselves.
Question 4: In hematology, 'anisocytosis' describes:
- Variation in red blood cell color
- Variation in red blood cell size (Correct answer)
- Abnormal red blood cell shape
- Nucleated red blood cells
Correct answer: Variation in red blood cell size
Anisocytosis refers to significant variation in the size of red blood cells, reflected by an elevated RDW.
Question 5: What does the term 'proteinuria' mean?
- Protein metabolism in the liver
- Elevated serum protein levels
- Presence of protein in urine above normal amounts (Correct answer)
- Protein deficiency in plasma
Correct answer: Presence of protein in urine above normal amounts
Proteinuria is the abnormal excretion of protein in urine, often a sign of renal disease.
Question 6: The laboratory term 'titer' most commonly refers to:
- The volume of a specimen collected
- The concentration or strength of a solution or antibody level expressed as a dilution (Correct answer)
- The temperature at which an enzyme is most active
- The time required for a reaction to complete
Correct answer: The concentration or strength of a solution or antibody level expressed as a dilution
Titer is the highest dilution of a serum or solution that still gives a detectable reaction, used to quantify antibodies.
Question 7: What is the meaning of 'hematocrit' (Hct)?
- The total number of red blood cells per microliter
- The percentage of blood volume occupied by red blood cells (Correct answer)
- The average volume of individual red blood cells
- The oxygen-carrying capacity per gram of hemoglobin
Correct answer: The percentage of blood volume occupied by red blood cells
Hematocrit is the proportion of blood volume composed of red blood cells, expressed as a percentage.
Medical Technologist Test Medical Technologist Terminology 4
Which term describes a false-positive or false-negative test result caused by interfering substances in the specimen?