Phlebotomy Test Point of Care Testing

Question 1

Which regulatory category covers most point-of-care testing devices such as glucose meters and urine dipsticks?

Accepted Answer

Waived testing

Answer

High-complexity testing

Answer

Moderate-complexity testing

Answer

Provider-performed microscopy

Question 2

When performing quality control on a glucose meter, the QC result falls outside the acceptable range. What is the FIRST action the phlebotomist should take?

Accepted Answer

Repeat the QC test using fresh control solution

Answer

Report the QC failure to the medical director immediately

Answer

Continue patient testing and document the failure

Answer

Discard the meter and requisition a new one

Question 3

A patient's HbA1c POCT result is 8.2%. What does this value primarily reflect?

Accepted Answer

Average blood glucose over the past 2–3 months

Answer

Average blood glucose over the past 2–3 weeks

Answer

Fasting blood glucose level at the time of testing

Answer

Postprandial blood glucose peak

Question 4

Which anticoagulant is used in the collection tube for a POCT INR test performed on a fingerstick sample?

Accepted Answer

Sodium citrate

Answer

EDTA

Answer

Heparin

Answer

Sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate

Question 5

A urine dipstick test shows a positive nitrite result. This finding is MOST indicative of:

Accepted Answer

Bacterial infection

Answer

Kidney stones

Answer

Diabetes mellitus

Answer

Dehydration

Question 6

For a rapid strep test performed at the point of care, a negative result in a symptomatic patient should typically be followed by:

Accepted Answer

Throat culture to confirm the negative result

Answer

Immediate antibiotic prescription

Answer

Repeating the rapid strep test on a second swab

Answer

No further testing—a negative result rules out strep

Question 7

Which of the following is a pre-analytical error that can affect POCT glucose results?

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Answer

Incorrect calibration code on the meter

Answer

Collecting the sample in a green-top tube

Answer

Exposing the test strip to extreme heat or humidity

Question 8

A phlebotomist is performing a POCT glucose test. The meter displays 'HI'. What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

The blood glucose is above the meter's measurable range

Answer

The meter needs to be calibrated

Answer

The QC is out of range

Answer

The sample volume was too low