Question Bank Flashcards
A slide stained with Masson Trichrome technique shows blue collagen and muscle, yellow red blood cells, and black nuclei. What is the most appropriate next step?
a.
report the results directly to the patient file
b.
send the slide to the pathologist for interpretation
c.
notify the microtomist that another block needs to be cut
d.
evaluate the staining reagents
d.
evaluate the staining reagents
Collagen/ Connective tissue = blue
Nuclei = dark purple
Muscle/ Cytoplasm = red/pink
What is the identity of an organism from a bloody stool culture given these results?
MAC: 2+normal flora, 2+ non-lactose fermenting colonies
indole: neg
H2S: pos
urease: neg
Hektoen: 4+ blue-green colonies
motility: pos
a.
Proteus spp.
b.
Salmonella spp.
c.
Shigella spp.
d.
Escherichia spp.
c.
Shigella spp.
- wh on MAC = lactose fermenter
- if H2S pos, then TSI = K/A
NOTE: salmonella is blue-green colonies with a black center on Hektoen
How should a technologist proceed when a labeling error is discovered on a sample for a stat fibrinogen from the operating room?
a.
correct the error on the tube by referring to the test request / requisition
b.
spin the sample immediately to avoid a delay in testing
c.
document the error on a non-conforming event form
d.
call the operating room and ask for the correct information
c.
document the error on a non-conforming event form
Which request should be processed first?
a.
PT, PTT from the operating room
b.
crossmatch from the pre-admission clinic
c.
liver function tests from the surgical ward
d.
urine culture from the emergency department
a.
PT, PTT from the operating room
PT stability: 24 hours
PTT stability: 12 hours
- considering tests were ordered from operating room, patient is probably bleeding
Which statement describes a 2-2s error?
a.
the affected control values are consecutive
b.
it is considered a warning flag
c.
it is considered a random error only
d.
the precision and CV would be affected
a.
the affected control values are consecutive
NOTE: you need a larger dataset to affect standard deviation/ CV/ precision
When woudl a class II biosafety cabinet be used?
a.
aliquoting plasma
b.
pouring acetone
c.
pipetting blood for manual cell counts
d.
plating patient specimens for culture
d.
plating patient specimens for culture
What is the best way to ensure that patient results are correctly received when given over the telephone?
a.
ask the receiver to read back the information given
b.
speak loudly and quickly
c.
ask for the name of the person receiving the information
d.
speak clearly and slowly
a.
ask the receiver to read back the information given
What is the best way to deal with conflict in the laboratory?
a.
avoid conflict in order to maintain harmony in the workplace
b.
involve as many people as possible to increase the likelihood of a resolution
c.
involve management as soon as possilbe in order to ensure a fair resolution
d.
have a one-on-one discussion about the problem with the co-worker
d.
have a one-on-one discussion about the problem with the co-worker
What is the most likely explanation of the results provided from a surgical patient?
Glucose: 56 mmol/L
Na: 169 mmol/L
Cl: 118 mmol/L
K: 1.7 mmol/L
HCO3-: 5.0 mmol/L
a.
lactic acidosis with increased anion gap
b.
lab error in measurement of electrolytes
c.
diabetic ketoacidosis
d.
sample drawn above an IV line
d.
sample drawn above an IV line
In a single urine specimen, which of the following situations could result in a count of 0 rbc/lpf on a microscopic urinalysis examination and a positive test for blood on the urine dipstick.
a.
the specific gravity of the urine sample is 1.020
b.
the pH of the urine is below 7.0
c.
extravascular hemolysis
d.
the urine sample is hypotonic
d.
the urine sample is hypotonic
- water moves from urine into RBCs = lysis
How should a technologist proceed when a DAT tests positive for IgG on a post-transfusion sample?
a.
repeat the ABO testing
b.
perform an elution
c.
send the blood bag for culture
d.
check the sample for visible hemolysis
b.
perform an elution
- removes Ab from RBC for Ab identification
How should the technologist proceed when a quantitative D-dimer result of 2.5 mg/L is obtained from a citrate tube?
a.
repeat the test
b.
check for a clot
c.
report the result
d.
cancel the test
b.
check for a clot
Ref: D-dimer <0.50 mg/L
- high results can indicate clotting/ DIC ?
In an ELISA reaction, what happens to a result when a well is inadequately washed after addition of the enzyme-antibody conjugate?
a.
the result will be unaffected
b.
the result cannot be determined
c.
the result will be falsely increased
d.
the result will be falsely decreased
c.
the result will be falsely increased
- unbound enzyme-Ab conjugates will bind non-specifically
Legislation that defines the governing framework for health professions is best described as which of the following concepts?
a.
certification
b.
regulation
c.
ethics
d.
licencsing
b.
regulation
A PCR analysis of a vaginal sample for Chlamydia trachomatis gives a negative result. What action should be taken when the internal control result is negative but positive and negative controls produce acceptable results?
a.
preliminary negative can be reported and confirmed by another method
b.
dilute the sample and repeat the PCR
c.
do not report the result and repeat the PCR
d.
report the test as negative
c.
do not report the result and repeat the PCR
- a negative internal control can mean an inhibitor is present
What parameter is most likely to be affected on an automated cell counter when a specimen is grossly lipemic?
a.
RBC count
b.
hemoglobin
c.
hematocrit
d.
MCV
b.
hemoglobin
- measured spectrophotometrically
Which situation indicates the need to calibrate an automated cell counter?
a.
a new reagent pack has been loaded onto the analyzer
b.
the hemoglobin lamp has been replaced
c.
a patient result has failed a delta check
d.
a single level of control is -3 SD from the mean
b.
the hemoglobin lamp has been replaced
What is the likely Rh genotype given the phenotype results:
D = 0
C = +
E = +
c = +
e = +
a.
r”r
b.
r’r
c.
r’r”
d.
rr
c.
r’r”
Which results would require further investigation prior to reporting?
a.
3 nucleated red blood cells per 100 WBCs are seen on the blood film of a neonate
b.
hemoglobin is 162 g/L while hematocrit is 0.45 L/L
c.
plasma urea is 4.6 mmol/L while creatinine is 138 umol/L
d.
plasma glucose is 13.9 mmol/L while urine glucose is negative
c.
plasma urea is 4.6 mmol/L while creatinine is 138 umol/L
Urea = 2.5 - 8.0 mmol/L
Creatinine = Female: 40 - 100 μmol/L AND Male: 50 - 120 μmol/L
NOTE: neonates can have <10 nRBCs/100 WBCs
What action is taken when anti-D is identified in a woman’s prenatal sample?
a.
notify the patient immediately by telephone
b.
notify the phsician immediately by telephone
c.
report result to the supervisor
d.
report result in the usual manner
b.
notify the physician immediately by telephone
- fetus may be in danger of HDFN
- mother cannot be given RhIg
Which of the following quality system essentials includes processes for selecting and installing laboratory instruments ?
A). Equipment
B). Assessments
C). Continual improvement
D). Process management
A). Equipment
Which of the following actions is used for the disposal of alcohol?
A). Pour down the drain
B). Dilute the water
C). Neutralize with saline
D). Send for distillation
D). Send for distillation
Which of the following actions should be taken when it is observed that a technologist unreasonably criticizes another coworker?
A). Accept the criticism
B). Confront the technologist
C). Ignore the situation
D). Seek assistance from direct supervisor
D). Seek assistance from direct supervisor
Which of the following conditions correlates with a hemoglobin solubility test result when the solution is turbid and lines are NOT visible ?
A). Hemoglobin SC disease
B). Beta Thalassemia minor
C). Alpha Thalassemia minor
D). Hemoglobin H disease
A). Hemoglobin SC disease
- sickle cell
Which of the following microbiology results is critical ?
A). Bacterial vaginosis positive smear
B). Wound with Clostridium perfringens
C). Stool with Proteus species
D). Sputum with Haemophilus influenzae
B). Wound with Clostridium perfringens
- gas gangrene
Which of the following actions can account for gram positive kidney bean shaped organisms from a blood culture?
A). Omission of the counterstain step
B). Drying the smear priory to staining
C). Omission of the decolorization step
D). Over decolonization of the smear
C). Omission of the decolorization step
- “kidney bean” shape indicates Moraxella catarrhalis
- gram negative diplococci
Which of the following culture media can be used to isolate a gram positive organism from a urine specimen which initially grew swarming Proteus species?
A). Sorbitol MacConkey
B). Colistin nalidixic acid
C). Sheep blood
D). MacConkey with crystal violet
B). Colistin nalidixic acid
- only grows gram positive organisms
Which of the following tests is affected by hemolysis ?
A). Na
B). Cl
C). AST
D). CRP
C). AST
- hemolysis = falsely elevated AST from RBCs
Which of the following actions should be completed when blood culture specimens are being improperly collected ?
A). Evaluate the collection process first
B). Perform employee evaluations
C). Reprimand employees
D). Implement a solution
A). Evaluate the collection process
Which of the following results is expected when a yeast produces blastoconidia, pseudohyphae, and chlamydospores on corn meal agar ?
A). Capsule positive
B). Germ tube positive
C). Mold at 22°C
D). Black pigment
B). Germ tube positive
- “when a yeast produces blastoconidia, pseudohyphae, and chlamydospores on corn meal agar” = C. albicans
Which of the following microscopes is used for examining joint fluids for the presence of crystals ?
A). Polarizing
B). Inverted
C). Fluorescence
D). Bright field
A). Polarizing
- birefringence is easily detectable
What peak is the M+1 in a mass spectrum ?
The highest m/z, after the main molecular ion peak
Which of the following analytes is affected when measuring a hemolyzed sample by ion selective electrode ?
A). Magnesium
B). Chloride
C). Carbon dioxide
D). Sodium
A). Magnesium
Which of the following analytes is affected when measuring a hemolyzed sample by ion selective electrode ?
A). Magnesium
B). Chloride
C). Carbon dioxide
D). Sodium
A). Magnesium
Which of the following infectious agents requires airborne precautions ?
A). Vancomycin resistance enterococcus
B). Clostridium difficile
C). Varicella virus
D). Hepatitis B virus
C). Varicella virus
What should be performed first if fluorescent slender bacilli are seen from an inpatient sputum sample ?
A). Set the sample up immediately on Löwenstein-Jensen agar at 35°C
B). Telephone the results to the clinician and infection control
C). Report of the findings in laboratory information system
D). Perform definitive testing for identification before reporting
B). Telephone the results to the clinician and infection control
- “fluorescent slender bacilli” = Acid-fast Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- risk group 3 organism
A cyto-centrifugation preparation from a peritoneal fluid demonstrates many large multinucleated cells with a “fried-egg” appearance and basophilic cytoplasm. What is the identification of these cells ?
A). Basophils
B). Large lymphocytes
C). Macrophage
D). Mesothelial
A cyto-centrifugation preparation from a peritoneal fluid demonstrates many large multinucleated cells with a “fried-egg” appearance and basophilic cytoplasm. What is the identification of these cells ?
D). Mesothelial
Which of the following factors may cause a delta check flag on a urea result when using the urease enzymatic method ?
A). The patient was pumping their fist during venipuncture
B). Specimen was collected in sodium heparin
C). Specimen was collected in ammonium heparin
D). The patient was in a supine position during venipuncture
C). Specimen was collected in ammonium heparin
- method = hydrolysis of urea TO AMMONIA and CO2 but SO testing urea using ammonium heparin causes falsely elevated results
- use lithium heparin instead
Which of the following conditions is most consistent with the following results: BM cytogenetics = t(9;22) positive and PBS = 14% blasts
A). Acute promyelocytic leukemia in remission
B). Accelerated phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia
C). Acute promyelocytic leukemia which has relapsed
D). Chronic phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia
B). Accelerated phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia
- chronic phase is <10% blasts
- accelerated phase is 15-20% blasts
- blast phase is >20% blasts
Which of the following devices is used to input data into the laboratory information system ?
A). Software
B). Printer
C). Projector
D). Keyboard
D). Keyboard
Which of the following specimens is delivered to cytology ?
A). Urine
B). Bone marrow
C). Toenail
D). Punch biopsy
A). Urine
- cytology examines cells in fluids
Which of the following microscopic elements is clinically significant in the urine sediment from an adult patient with vaginitis ?
A). Large flat cell with centrally located nucleus
B). Long thin irregular thread-like structures
C). Slightly tapered oval head structure with a long flagella-like tail
D). Small refractive oval structures with mycelial forms
D). Small refractive oval structures with mycelial forms
- Candida
Which of the following factors may cause a delta check flag on a urea results when using the urease enzymatic method ?
A). Specimen was collected in sodium heparin
B). Specimen was collected in sodium fluoride
C). The patient was pumping their first during venipuncture
D). The patient was in supine position during venipuncture
B). Specimen was collected in sodium fluoride
- grey-top (sodium fluoride/ potassium oxalate) only for lactate and glucose
- urea should be collected in lithium heparin
Which of the following actions may be taken prior to the collection of a blood specimen for prothrombin time when the HCT is 0.65 L/L ?
A). Increase volume of sodium citrate in the tube
B). Collect in an EDTA tube
C). Decrease volume of sodium citrate in the tube
D). Collect in a lithium heparin tube
C). Decrease volume of sodium citrate in the tube
- If the patient HCT 0.55 - 0.65 L/L = less plasma = volume of anticoagulant should be reduced
In a PT measurement, which of the following factors causes an increase in turbidity ?
A). IV
B). IX
C). I
D). VIII
C). I
- fibrinogen
Which of the following antibodies is most likely responsible when 2/10 donors are found to be incompatible in a group O patient’s serum ?
A). Anti-A1
B). Anti-K
C). Anti-e
D). Anti-Fya
B). Anti-K
K antigen = 9%
k antigen = 99%
Ingestion of which of the following substances may produce false test results for fecal occult blood testing ?
A). Bran cereal
B). Vitamin C
C). Acetaminophen
D). Red meat
B). Vitamin C
Which of the following stains is used to demonstrate Mycobacterium leprae ?
a). Fite
b). Gram
c). Brown and Brenn
d). Grocott methenamine silver
a). Fite
Which of the following specimens should be processed first ?
a). Stool for Clostridium difficile testing
b). Sputum for mycology
c). Joint fluid C & S
d). STAT urine C & S
c). Joint fluid C & S*
- fluids should be processed within 1 hour of collection
*NOTE: culture and sensitivity
Which of the following actions should be taken when a paraffin tissue section is splitting at right angles ?
a). Soak tissue in alcohol
b). Decalcify the surface of the tissue
c). Change the knife
d). Trim the block
b). Decalcify the surface of the tissue
Which of the following microbiology specimens should be collected if hemolytic uremic syndrome is suspected?
a). CSF
b). Preserved stool
c). Renal tissue biopsy
d). Mid-stream urine
b). Preserved stool
- HUS is caused by shiga toxin from Shigella and E. coli O:157:H7
Which of the following pieces of equipment is used to measure urine solute concentration?
a). Refractometer
b). Hemacytometer
c). Volumetric pipette
d). Counting chamber
a). Refractometer
- indirectly assesses osmolality/ specific gravity
- measures refractive index of urine, affected by [solutes]
Which is the first reagent used when manually staining a slide with hematoxylin and eosin?
a). 95% alcohol
b). 100% alcohol
c). Xylene
d). Distilled water
c). Xylene
- bring slides down to water
Which of the following conditions correlates with a plasma phosphorus of 0.35 mmol/L?
a). Diabetic ketoacidosis
b). Acromegaly
c). Rhabdomyolysis
d). Hypoparathyroidism
a). Diabetic ketoacidosis
- urinary loss of phosphate occurs due to transcellular shift, osmotic diuresis and reduced renal phosphate reabsorption
Which of the following conditions best correlates with the culture results below?
Aerobic blood agar colonial morphology: large, beta-hemolytic colonies
Gram stain: Gram positive spore forming bacilli
a). Atypical pneumonia
b). Meningitis
c). Brucellosis
d). Food poisoning
d). Food poisoning
- Clostridium perfringens
- Bacillus cereus