SEROLOGICAL TESTING RPR

Question 1

_______ is a non-treponemal test for serologic detection of the antibody Reagin, which is produced in response to an infection of syphilis caused by Treponema pallidum.

Answer 1

Rapid Plasma Reagin

Question 2

Reagin is a phospholipid, which is produced in patients infected with _____________, the causative agent of ______, and acts like an antigen.

Answer 2

Treponema pallidum

syphilis

Question 3

Reagin is found in the serum/plasma of patients with

Answer 3

syphilis

Question 4

True/False

The vehicle or “antigen” used is a carbon charcoal particle to see results microscopically

Answer 4

FALSE

MACROSCOPICALLY

Question 5

Rapid Plasma Reagin test
After antigen is mixed with a serum/plasma sample:
If flocculation is present, the test is

Answer 5

Positive

Question 6

Rapid Plasma Reagin test
After antigen is mixed with a serum/plasma sample:
If no flocculation is present, the test is

Answer 6

non-reactive (negative)

Question 7

___________ is the confirmatory test for RPR testing.

Answer 7

Fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorbed test (FTA-ABS)

Question 8

Fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorbed test (FTA-ABS) is done how?

Answer 8

Dead T. pallidum is fixed on a slide, and patient’s serum is added

Question 9

POS/NEG
Fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorbed test (FTA-ABS)

Slide is studied under an ultraviolet microscope shows fluorescence

Answer 9

positive.

Question 10

POS/NEG
Fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorbed test (FTA-ABS)
-shows no fluoresce

Answer 10

NEGATIVE

Question 11

What tube do you use when drawing blood for an RPR?

• Serum
• Plasma

Answer 11

in tubes

• without anticoagulant (Red/SST) for serum
• with anticoagulant (Purple top) for plasma

Question 12

After centrifugation, serum should be

Answer 12

clear and non-hemolyzed

Question 13

What type of needles are used with the RPR card test kit?

Answer 13

20 Ga, galvanized needle, blunt tip

Question 14

What type of syringe for the RPR test kit?

Answer 14

1 milliliter (mL) tuberculin syringe

Question 15

Prior to testing RPR

(a) Centrifuge the specimen (serum or plasma) to _______ cellular elements.
(b) Mix the antigen suspension, prior to opening ampule, by shaking vigorously for ______
(c) Attach the needle to the hub of the dispensing bottle. Ensure the antigen is ______ the break line
(d) Snap off the top of the ampule and draw all of the antigen into the dispensing bottle

Answer 15

(a) sediment
(b) 10- 15 seconds
(c) below

Question 16

Testing Procedure RPR

Use the dispenser to transfer the specimen to the card, dispense how many drops?

Answer 16

1 drop

Question 17

True/False
Testing Procedure RPR
Add 3 drops of antigen to each specimen and controls to be tested with the dispensing bottle.

Answer 17

FALSE

1 Drop of antigen

Question 18

Testing Procedure RPR

Place test card and controls on the rotator for ______ minutes at ______ revolutions per minute (rpm).

Answer 18

8 minutes

100 RPM

Question 19

Testing Procedure RPR

Read the reaction at the end of how long?

Answer 19

8 minutes

Question 20

Testing Procedure RPR

Rotate and tilt card briefly, by hand (3 or 4 to-and fro-motion). This helps to differentiate what?

Answer 20

non-reactive from weakly reactive results.

Question 21

True/False
Testing Procedure RPR
Examine test card. Read MICROSCOPICALLY, under a high intensity lamp or strong daylight

Answer 21

FALSE

read MACROSCOPICALLY

Question 22

RPR results are reported as?

Answer 22

either reactive or non-reactive

Question 23

Testing Procedure RPR

Reactive test results shows flocculation ranging from:

Answer 23

(a) Slight but definite
(b) Minimum to moderate
(c) Marked and intense

Question 24

Reactive Rapid Plasma Reagin tests must be confirmed with a what?

Answer 24

Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption test (FTA-ABS).

Question 25

RPR Quality Control

Divided into two sections.

Answer 25

1) Equipment quality control.

2) Reagent quality control.

Question 26

Quality control equipment includes….

Answer 26

Mechanical rotator: Calibrated to 100 rpm

Antigen needle: Calibrated to 60 drops per 1 mL

Question 27

True/False

Control reagents are solutions that contain the same constituents as those being tested.

Answer 27

True

Question 28

Control reagents

For Rapid Plasma Reagin use what?

Answer 28

reactive, weak-reactive, and non-reactive controls.

Question 29

True/False
Control reagents are treated as patients and run every time an unknown sample
is tested.

Answer 29

True