SCYM Quality Control & Assurance 4

Question 1

A spectral overlap correction matrix is recalculated after changing which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Fluorochrome-conjugated antibodies or fluorochromes used in the panel

Answer

Compensation matrices are specific to the fluorochromes in use; changing any dye requires recalculating spillover to maintain accuracy.

Question 2

In clinical cytometry, proficiency testing (PT) programs serve primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Evaluate laboratory performance by comparing results to peer laboratories and reference values

Answer

PT programs assess inter-laboratory performance by distributing the same challenge samples to multiple labs and comparing results.

Question 3

Which of the following best describes 'assay sensitivity' in the context of flow cytometry QC?

Accepted Answer

The lowest concentration of the analyte the assay can reliably detect

Answer

Assay sensitivity (limit of detection or LoD) is the minimum analyte level that can be distinguished from background with statistical confidence.

Question 4

A laboratory wants to verify that its CD4 T-cell count assay meets clinical decision thresholds. Which validation study is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Linearity and reportable range study across clinically relevant concentrations

Answer

Linearity studies confirm that the assay produces accurate results across the full reportable range needed for clinical decisions.

Question 5

CAP accreditation for clinical flow cytometry laboratories requires participation in proficiency testing how often?

Accepted Answer

Typically three times per year for regulated analytes

Answer

CAP generally mandates three PT challenges per year for regulated clinical flow cytometry analytes.

(SCYM) Specialist in Cytometry Practice Test