MS Laboratory & Diagnostic Testing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does INR (International Normalized Ratio) measure, and why is accurate documentation critical for a medical scribe?
- Kidney filtration rate; monitors renal failure
- Blood clotting time; monitors patients on anticoagulants like warfarin (Correct answer)
- Inflammation level; monitors autoimmune disease
- Red blood cell production; monitors anemia
Correct answer: Blood clotting time; monitors patients on anticoagulants like warfarin
INR measures blood clotting time and is essential for monitoring patients on anticoagulant therapy such as warfarin to prevent dangerous bleeding or clotting events.
Question 2: A urinalysis report showing '3+' for protein indicates which of the following?
- Normal protein levels within reference range
- Trace protein, clinically insignificant
- Significant proteinuria warranting further evaluation (Correct answer)
- The specimen was dilute and the test was inconclusive
Correct answer: Significant proteinuria warranting further evaluation
A '3+' proteinuria result indicates a significant amount of protein in the urine, which can signal kidney disease, nephrotic syndrome, or other conditions requiring follow-up.
Question 3: Which imaging modality uses magnetic fields and radio waves rather than ionizing radiation?
- CT scan
- Plain X-ray
- PET scan
- MRI (Correct answer)
Correct answer: MRI
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) uses magnetic fields and radio frequency waves, making it free of ionizing radiation unlike CT scans or X-rays.
Question 4: When documenting a culture result, 'NGTD' typically stands for what?
- No growth to date (Correct answer)
- Negative gram-type diagnosis
- Non-group throat disease
- Normal growth, typical development
Correct answer: No growth to date
'NGTD' means No Growth To Date, indicating that no bacteria have grown in the culture at the time of the interim report.
Question 5: A troponin level is ordered primarily to assess damage to which organ?
- Liver
- Kidney
- Heart (Correct answer)
- Pancreas
Correct answer: Heart
Troponin is a cardiac-specific protein released into the bloodstream when heart muscle cells are damaged, and it is the gold standard biomarker for diagnosing myocardial infarction.
Question 6: Which test is most commonly used to screen for colorectal cancer through stool analysis?
- Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) (Correct answer)
- Stool culture
- Ova and parasite (O&P) test
- C. difficile toxin assay
Correct answer: Fecal occult blood test (FOBT)
The Fecal Occult Blood Test detects hidden (occult) blood in stool, which can be an early indicator of colorectal cancer or precancerous polyps.
Question 7: When a provider orders a 'type and screen,' what is being requested?
- A complete metabolic panel and urinalysis
- Blood typing (ABO/Rh) and screening for unexpected antibodies (Correct answer)
- A thyroid function panel
- A urine toxicology screen
Correct answer: Blood typing (ABO/Rh) and screening for unexpected antibodies
A type and screen determines the patient's ABO blood group and Rh factor while screening for unexpected red blood cell antibodies prior to potential transfusion.
MS Laboratory & Diagnostic Testing 2
What does INR (International Normalized Ratio) measure, and why is accurate documentation critical for a medical scribe?