AACC AACC Laboratory Management & Operations

Question 1

Which accreditation body oversees clinical laboratory quality and compliance in the United States under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)?

Accepted Answer

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Answer

CMS is the federal agency that oversees CLIA, which regulates all US clinical laboratory testing on human specimens.

Question 2

A laboratory director receives a critical value result. What is the FIRST action that must be taken?

Accepted Answer

Notify the ordering physician or responsible clinician immediately

Answer

Critical values must be communicated immediately to the ordering clinician so that urgent patient care decisions can be made.

Question 3

What is the primary purpose of a laboratory's standard operating procedure (SOP)?

Accepted Answer

To provide step-by-step instructions ensuring consistent, reproducible test performance

Answer

SOPs ensure that all staff perform procedures the same way, reducing variability and supporting quality test results.

Question 4

Under CLIA regulations, how long must laboratories retain records for non-waived tests?

Accepted Answer

2 years

Answer

CLIA requires that records for non-waived tests, including patient test records and quality control data, be retained for a minimum of 2 years.

Question 5

Which staffing model assigns a single laboratory professional to perform multiple types of testing across different disciplines?

Accepted Answer

Cross-training model

Answer

Cross-training allows laboratory staff to be competent in multiple disciplines, improving flexibility and operational efficiency.

AACC - American Association for Clinical Chemistry Certification Practice Test

AACC - American Association for Clinical Chemistry Certification Practice Test

AACC AACC Laboratory Management & Operations