ASPT ASPT Quality Assurance & Laboratory Operations

Question 1

What is the purpose of a delta check in laboratory quality assurance?

Accepted Answer

Compare a patient's current result to a previous result to flag unusual changes

Answer

A delta check compares a patient's current lab result with a prior result to detect significant discrepancies that may indicate errors or critical patient changes.

Question 2

Which organization sets the standards for laboratory quality and proficiency testing in the US under CLIA?

Accepted Answer

CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)

Answer

CMS oversees CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) regulations, which establish quality standards for all US laboratory testing on human specimens.

Question 3

What does QC (quality control) in phlebotomy primarily ensure?

Accepted Answer

Test results are reliable, accurate, and reproducible

Answer

Quality control in phlebotomy and the laboratory ensures that test results are reliable, accurate, and reproducible by monitoring processes and equipment performance.

Question 4

What is the correct action when a quality control result falls outside the acceptable range?

Accepted Answer

Document and investigate the failure before reporting patient results

Answer

When QC fails, the phlebotomist or lab tech must document the failure, investigate the cause, and resolve the issue before releasing patient test results.

Question 5

Which type of error occurs when a specimen is collected from the wrong patient?

Accepted Answer

Pre-analytical error

Answer

Collecting a specimen from the wrong patient is a pre-analytical error, occurring before testing begins, and is one of the most serious phlebotomy mistakes.

(ASPT) American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians Practice Test

(ASPT) American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians Practice Test

ASPT ASPT Quality Assurance & Laboratory Operations