PAP Quality Control and Laboratory Standards

Question 1

Under CLIA regulations, how often must cytology laboratories enroll in an approved proficiency testing program for Pap tests?

Accepted Answer

Every 6 months

Answer

Annually

Answer

Every 2 years

Answer

Every 3 years

Question 2

What is the maximum number of slides a cytotechnologist may screen per 24-hour period under CLIA regulations?

Accepted Answer

100

Answer

75

Answer

150

Answer

200

Question 3

Which process involves re-examining a random selection of cytotechnologist-negative Pap slides before sign-out?

Accepted Answer

Prospective rescreening

Answer

Retrospective review

Answer

Correlation review

Answer

Rapid prescreening

Question 4

A laboratory's Pap test false-negative rate is best monitored by correlating cytology results with:

Accepted Answer

Histopathology biopsy results

Answer

Patient age and risk factors

Answer

HPV vaccination records

Answer

Clinician referral patterns

Question 5

Which quality indicator is used to evaluate the adequacy of Pap test specimen collection across a laboratory?

Accepted Answer

Unsatisfactory specimen rate

Answer

Positive predictive value

Answer

Turnaround time

Answer

Atypical squamous cells rate

Question 6

Under CLIA, which personnel are required to undergo annual competency assessment in gynecologic cytology?

Accepted Answer

Cytotechnologists and pathologists who sign out cases

Answer

Only laboratory directors

Answer

Phlebotomists and specimen processors only

Answer

All hospital employees

Question 7

A quality control review finds that a laboratory's ASCUS rate is 10% of all Pap tests. According to Bethesda guidelines, this rate is:

Accepted Answer

Elevated and warrants investigation

Answer

Acceptable and expected

Answer

Too low and warrants investigation

Answer

Irrelevant without colposcopy data