MLS Patient Assessment & Documentation 3

Question 1

A fasting glucose specimen is received, but the requisition does not indicate fasting status. What is the appropriate course of action?

Accepted Answer

Contact the patient or nursing unit to verify fasting status before reporting

Answer

Fasting status must be verified and documented because it directly affects the interpretation of fasting glucose results.

Question 2

Which of the following is a pre-analytical variable that the MLS can identify from the patient assessment before collection?

Accepted Answer

Patient exercise within 30 minutes of collection

Answer

Recent strenuous exercise is a pre-analytical variable affecting analytes like CK, potassium, and lactate that can be identified during patient assessment.

Question 3

When documenting a traumatic venipuncture in the patient's record, which information is MOST important to include?

Accepted Answer

The site of collection, number of attempts, patient's response, and collector's identity

Answer

Traumatic venipuncture documentation must include collection site, number of attempts, patient response, and the identity of the collector for complete incident tracking.

Question 4

A requisition is received for a drug level with no dose or last dose time listed. Why is this information critical?

Accepted Answer

Trough vs. peak timing affects therapeutic range interpretation

Answer

Knowing the last dose time determines whether a specimen is a trough or peak level, which directly affects whether the drug concentration is within therapeutic range.

Question 5

Which assessment finding should prompt the MLS to select an alternative collection site during phlebotomy?

Accepted Answer

A mastectomy on the ipsilateral side of the intended draw arm

Answer

Venipuncture on the same side as a mastectomy risks lymphedema and inaccurate results due to altered lymphatic drainage and should be avoided.

(MLS) Medical Laboratory Scientist Practice Test

(MLS) Medical Laboratory Scientist Practice Test

MLS Patient Assessment & Documentation 3