NCCT Point-of-Care Testing 3

Question 1

A phlebotomist performs a POCT glucose test and obtains a critically high result of 520 mg/dL. What is the immediate next step?

Accepted Answer

Notify the nurse or physician immediately per critical value protocol

Answer

Critical POCT values must be immediately reported to the responsible clinician according to the facility's critical value notification protocol.

Question 2

Which of the following is a recognized limitation of POCT compared to central laboratory testing?

Accepted Answer

POCT devices generally have less precision than laboratory analyzers

Answer

POCT devices, while convenient and fast, typically have less analytical precision and a narrower reportable range than full laboratory analyzers.

Question 3

What is the proper disposal method for used POCT lancets after a fingerstick glucose test?

Accepted Answer

Place directly into a puncture-resistant sharps container

Answer

Used lancets are sharps and must be discarded immediately and uncapped into a puncture-resistant sharps container to prevent needlestick injuries.

Question 4

A POCT hemoglobin result is 7.2 g/dL. How should this result be communicated?

Accepted Answer

Reported immediately to the nurse or physician as a critical value

Answer

A hemoglobin of 7.2 g/dL is below critical threshold and must be immediately communicated to the responsible clinician per critical value policy.

Question 5

Which POCT test is commonly used at the bedside to aid in the rapid diagnosis of myocardial infarction (heart attack)?

Accepted Answer

Cardiac troponin testing

Answer

Cardiac troponin (troponin I or T) POCT is a highly sensitive and specific biomarker used to rapidly diagnose myocardial infarction at the bedside.

NCCT - National Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam Practice Test