Specimen Processing and Handling Flashcards
1
Q
Listed below are colors of conventional stoppers for evacuated tubes. Which stopper color would be selected most often to collect specimens analyzed in the chemistry department? A. green B. gray C. lavender D. red SST
A
A. green
2
Q
Listed below are colors of conventional stoppers for evacuated tubes. Which stopper color would be selected most often to collect specimens analyzed by the hematology department? A. gray B. lavender C. light blue D. red SST
A
B. lavender
3
Q
Which of the following departments in the clinical laboratory performs ASO titers, cold agglutinin titers, and rapid plasma reagin analysis? A. clinical chemistry B. hematology C. immunology D. microbiology
A
C. immunology
4
Q
Which of the following laboratory departments offers a profile of tests that analyzes amylase, bilirubin, electtrolytes, glucose, ALT, AST, BUN, and LDH? A. clinical chemistry B. hematology C. immunology D. microbiology
A
A. clinical chemistry
5
Q
Which of the following departments in the clinical laboratory is most often responsible for analyzing specimens for prothrombin time and APTT analysis? A. clinical chemistry B. coagulation C. immunology D. microbiology
A
B. coagulation
6
Q
Which department of the clinical laboratory is most likely to perform an AFB culture? A. clinical chemistry B. hematology C. immunology D. microbiology
A
D. microbiology
7
Q
Which of the following colored conventional stoppers for evacuated tubes would most likely be delivered to microbiology for analysis? A. lavender B. light blue C. red SST D. yellow
A
D. yellow
8
Q
Which of the following departments would most likely perform a type and crossmatch analysis? A. clinical chemistry B. hematology C. immunology D. immunohematology
A
D. immunohematology
9
Q
Listed below are colors of conventional stoppers for evacuated tubes. Which stopper color would be selected most often to collect specimens analyzed in the immunohematology department? A. red B. red SST C. light blue D. royal blue
A
A. red
10
Q
The condition when the patient is at rest, in a supine position, 12 hours after the last ingestion of food, exercise, or activity is: A. basal state B. diurnal rythms C. normal D. reference value
A
A. basal state
11
Q
Normal variations of blood constituents throughout the day are called: A. basal state B. diurnal rythms C. normal D. reference value
A
B. diurnal rythms
12
Q
Normal spans of values for laboratory tests are called: A. basal state B. diurnal rythms C. normal D. reference value
A
D. reference value
13
Q
A clinical situation in which the water from the plasma portion of the blood filters into the tissues, causing nonfilterable values in the blood to falsely increase, is called: A. hemoconcentration B. hemolysis C. hematology D. hematoma
A
A. hemoconcentrationI
14
Q
Cloudy serum or plasma caused by an increased lipid content is called: A. diurnal rythms B. hemoconcentration C. hemolysis D. lipemic
A
D. lipemic
15
Q
If a patient finishes drinking a glucose solution during a GTT at 7:30 AM, what time should the first specimen be drawn? A. 745AM B. 800AM C. 815AM D. 830AM
A
B. 800AM
16
Q
Which of the following tests is usually ordered as a series of samples collected at timed intervals? A. blood cultures B. cold agglutinin titers C. cryoglobulin levels D. fibrin degradation products
A
A. blood cultures
17
Q
If a physician orders a 3-hour glucose tolerance test on a patient, how many blood collection procedures must be performed as part of the GTT? A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 5
A
D. 5
18
Q
When labeling blood culture specimens, what information is required in addition to routine labeling information? A. patient's age B. patient's gender C. number of the series D. number of venipuncture attempts
A
C. number of the series
19
Q
When labeling a blood culture specimen, what information should a phlebotomist record, in addition to the routine labeling information? A. time of last venipuncture B. date of last venipuncture C. nurse's initials D. venipuncture site used
A
D. venipuncture site used
20
Q
At what temperature do cold agglutinins react best? A. 4 C B. 23 C C. 37 C D. 56 C
A
A. 4 C
21
Q
Collection of blood specimens for which of the following tests may incorporate the use of a Typenex band? A. blood cultures B. glucose tolerance testing C. fibrin split products D. type and crossmatch
A
D. type and crossmatch
22
Q
Which of the following would appear in addition to routine labeling information on a specimen collected as part of a GTT? A. skin puncture site seleced B. timing of the specimen C. Typenex numbers D. venipuncture site selected
A
B. timing of the specimen
23
Q
Which of the following specimens requires transport shielded from light? A. alkaline phosphatase B. bilirubin C. cold agglutinin D. fibrinogen
A
B. bilirubin
24
Q
Which of the following specimens requires transport shielded from light? A. acid phosphatase B. blood urea nitrogen C. carotene D. fibrin split products
A
C. carotene
25
Q
Which of the following specimens requires transport shielded from light? A. ammonia B. electrolytes C. erythrocyte protoporphyrin level D. gastrin
A
C. erythrocyte protoporphyrin level
26
Q
Which of the following specimens must be transported at 37C? A. carotene B. catecholamines C. cold agglutinin titers D. creatine phosphokinase
A
C. cold agglutinin titers
27
Q
Which of the following materials is most commonly used to transport specimens shielded from light? A. aluminum foil B. paper cup C. paper towel D. plastic bag
A
A. aluminum foil
28
Q
Specimens that must be transported chilled should be transported:
A. on dry ice
B. in a cup filled with ice cubes
C. in a cup filled with ice cubes and water
D. wrapped in a cold pack
A
C. in a cup filled with ice cubes and water
29
Q
What is the best method for transporting specimens at 37C?
A. ice bath
B. heat block
C. wrapped in a towel
D. wrapped in a washcloth dampened with warm water
A
A. ice bath
30
Q
Which of the following specimens requires chilled transport? A. albumin B. ammonia C. amylase D. antibody screen
A
B. ammonia
31
Q
Which of the following specimens requires chilled transport? A. febrile agglutinins B. folate C. fibrinogen D. follicle stimulating hormone
A
C. fibrinogen
32
Q
Which of the following specimens requires chilled transport? A. gastrin B. gentamycin C. glucose D. glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
A
A. gastrin
33
Q
Which of the following specimens requires chilled transport? A. rapid plasma reagin B. renin C. reticulocyte count D. RhoGAM workup
A
B. renin
34
Q
If a laboratory test procedure requested by a physician cannot be analyzed by the in-house laboratory, the specimen should be sent to which type of laboratory? A. point of care B. reference C. satallite D. stat
A
B. reference
35
Q
Which of the following containers should hold a specimen that has been wrapped in absorbent material for transport to a reference lab? A. gas impermeable container B. primary container C. secondary container D. shipping container
A
C. secondary container
36
Q
Which of the following characteristics applies to a drig that is monitored by a therapeutic drug monitoring system?
A. administered IV only
B. administered “stat”
C. narrow therapeutic-toxic ranges
D. predicable dose-response relationships
A
C. narrow therapeutic-toxic ranges
37
Q
Which of the following drugs is characteristically incorporated into a TDM program? A. acetaminophen B. aminoglycosides C. morphine D. salicylate
A
B. aminoglycosides
38
Q
Which of the following is a common reason for rejection of specimens collected as part of a TDM program?
A. failure to collect specimen at the appropriate time
B. failure to mix blood with additive
C. incorrect specimen tube
D. insufficient specimen
A
A. failure to collect specimen at the appropriate time
39
Q
Before a specimen for TDM can be collected, there must be verification of the patient's last: A. meal B. medication dose C. therapy session D. venipuncture
A
B. medication dose
40
Q
A TDM specimen that is collected approximately 30 minutes prior to the next scheduled dose is for what type of medication level? A. peak B. random C. toxic D. trough
A
D. trough
41
Q
A phlebotomist is to collect a blood specimen at 700AM as part of a TDM program. The phlebotomist has several specimens to collect at that time. How many minutes before or after the hour can she or he collect the specimen? A. 0 B. 5 C. 10 D. 15
A
A. 0
42
Q
What kind of form must be completed for forensic specimens? A. chain of custody B. chordae tendineae C. incident report D. respondeat superior
A
A. chain of custody
43
Q
Which of the following agencies defines requirements for the collection, processing, and testing of urine drug screens? A. ASCP B. ASMT C. NCCLS D. NIDA
A
D. NIDA
44
Q
Which of the following security measures is routinely performed by collection sites for urine drug testing to ensure specimen integrity? A. accept catheterized specimens only B. collect in a sterile container C. collect using a Simplate D. place bluing material in the toilet
A
D. place bluing material in the toilet
45
Q
What is the minimum acceptable volume of a specimen for urine drug screening, according to NIDA? A. 30 mL B. 40 mL C. 50 mL D. 60 mL
A
D. 60 mL
46
Q
What temperature range must a urine specimen fall within to be accepted for drug screening, according to NIDA guidelines? A. 90.5-95.5 F B. 95.5-99.8 F C. 90.5-99.8 F D. 98.6-99 F
A
C. 905-99.8
47
Q
Which of the following laboratory tests may be performed on a random urine specimen? A. 2 hour urine collection B. 24 hour urine collection C. urinalysis D. urine culture and sensitivity
A
C. urinalysis
48
Q
Which of the following laboratory tests requires a clean-catch midstream urine collection? A. 2 hour urine collection B. 24 hour urine collection C. urinalysis D. urine culture and sensitivity
A
D. urine culture and sensitivity
49
Q
Following collection, a specimen for urine culture and sensitivity must be delivered to the laboratory: A. within 60 minutes B. within 90 minutes C. within 120 minutes D. stat
A
A. within 60 minutes
50
Q
If a urine specimen cannot be delivered to the laboratory immediately following collection, the specimen should be stored: A. at room temperature B. in a 37C incubator C. in a refrigerator D. shielded from the light
A
C. in a refrigerator
51
Q
A specimen for routine urinalysis must be delivered to the laboratory following collection within: A. 60 minutes B. 90 minutes C. 120 minutes D. 180 minutes
A
C. 120 minutes
52
Q
If a phlebotomist uses a sterile cotton swab to brush a patient's tonsillar area and the posterior pharynx, what specimen has the phlebotomist collected? A. ascitic fluid B. nasopharyngeal culture C. synovial fluid D. throat culture
A
B. nasopharyngeal culture
53
Q
Arterial blood gas specimens require special transport to prevent changes in: A. bilirubin levels B. carotene levels C. glucose levels D. pH levels
A
D. pH levels
54
Q
Which of the following analyses is always transported and analyzed stat? A. ABG B. BUN C. CBC D. RPR
A
A. ABG
55
Q
The term that means "immediately" is: A. ASAP B. FYI C. med emerg D. stat
A
D. stat
56
Q
Blood specimens from which patient unit are always handled as stat requests? A. ER B. ICU C. labor and delivery D. pediatrics
A
A. ER
57
Q
Which of the following analyses requires the patient to fast prior to collection? A. C-reactive protein B. creatine phosphokinase C. creatinine D. cytomegalovirus
A
D. cytomegalovirus
58
Q
Which of the following analyses requires the patient to fast prior to collection? A. plasma hemoglobin B. hemoglobin A1C C. renin D. serum gastrin
A
D. serum gastrin
59
Q
Which of the following analyses requires the patient to fast prior to collection? A. theophylline B. thrombin time C. tobramycin D. triglycerides
A
D. triglycerides
60
Q
The department in the clinical laboratory that identifies disease of blood-forming tissues is: A. clinical chemistry B. hematology C. immunology D. microbiology
A
B. hematology
61
Q
The department in the clinical laboratory, often housed in the hematology department, that monitors medication given as anticoagulant therapy is: A. clinical chemistry B. coagulation C. microbiology D. urinalysis
A
B. coagulation
62
Q
The department in the clinical laboratory that cultures and identifies bacterial pathogens is: A. clinical chemistry B. hematology C. microbiology D. urinalysis
A
C. microbiology
63
Q
The department in the clinical laboratory that analyzes antibody antigen reactions prior to the transfusion of blood or blood products is: A. clinical chemistry B. immunohematology C. immunology D. radioimmunoassy
A
B. immunohematology
64
Q
The department in the clinical laboratory that assesses the body's response to certain infectious diseases through the analysis of antigen-antibody reactions is: A. clinical chemistry B. hematology C. immunohematology D. immunology
A
D. immunology
65
Q
The department of the clinical laboratory that conducts testing of the antibodies and antigens associated with hepatitis, and certain hormone and drug levels is: A. clinical chemistry B. immunology C. microbiology D. radioimmunoassay
A
D. radioimmunoassay
66
Q
The department in the clinical laboratory that screens for the early detection of cancer cells is: A. clinical microscopy B. cytology C. hematology D. histology
A
B. cytology
67
Q
The department in the clinical laboratory that prepares and processes tissue samples removed during surgery is: A. clinical microscopy B. cytology C. hematology D. histology
A
D. histology
68
Q
The test commonly ordered to assist in the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis is: A. mucin clot test B. Ropes test C. sweat chloride test D. tourniquet test
A
C. sweat chloride test
69
Q
A patient has a chloride level in his or her sweat that is five times the normal level. What clinical condition is most often associated with this finding? A. cystic fibrosis B. hyaline membrane disease C. PKU D. PNI
A
A. cystic fibrosis
70
Q
The process of introducing ions into the skin through the use of electrodes placed on the skin is called: A. electrophoresis B. iontophoresis C. leukopheresis D. plasmapheresis
A
B. iontophoresis
71
Q
To accept a specimen for trace metal analysis, the specimen should be collected in a(an): A. acid-washed plastic syringe B. gas impermeable syringe C. red stopper evacuated tube D. red SST stopper evacuated tube
A
A. acid-washed plastic syringe
72
Q
Listed below are colors of Hemogard stoppers for evacuated tubes. Which Hemogard stoppered evacuated tube is most suitable for lead level determinations? A. brown B. gold C. gray D. red
A
A. brown
73
Q
Listed below are colors of hemogard stoppers for evacuated tubes. Which Hemogard stoppered evacuated tube is most suitable for zinc level determinations? A. brown B. gold C. light blue D. royal blue
A
D. royal blue
74
Q
To accept a specimen for fibrin split product analysis, the specimen should be collected in a(an): A. acid washed syringe B. gas impermeable syringe C. royal blue Hemogard stoppered tube D. Thrombo-Wellcotest tube
A
D. Thrombo-Wellcotest tube
75
Q
Which of the following test procedures is preceded by a GTT? A. glucagon tolerance test B. lactose tolerance test C. sweat chloride test D. D-xylose test
A
B. lactose tolerance test
76
Q
According to NCCLS, what is the maximum time that may elapse between collection of a blood specimen and separation of the cells from the sera? A. 30 minutes B. 45 minutes C. 1 hour D. 2 hours
A
D. 2 hours
77
Q
Which of the following test results will be affected by glycolytic action of the red blood cells? A. CBC B. WBC C. glucose D. vancomycin
A
C. glucose
78
Q
A specimen for glucose analysis is collected in an evacuated tube with a red stopper. The specimen was not processed in a timely fashion. As a result, the serum glucose values: A. decreased B. increased C. impossible to analyze D. were unaffected
A
A. decreased
79
Q
A specimen for glucose analysis is collected in a red stoppered SST evacuated tube. The specimen was centrifuged promptly, but not analyzed in a timely fashion. As a result, the serum glucose values: A. decreased B. increased C. impossible to analyze D. were unaffected
A
D. were unaffected
80
Q
A specimen for potassium analysis is collected in an evacuated tube with a red stopper. The specimen was centrifuged promptly, but not analyzed in a timely fashion. As a result, the serum potassium values: A. decreased B. increased C. impossible to analyze D. were unaffected
A
B. increased
81
Q
A specimen for potassium analysis is collected in a red stoppered SST evacuated tube. The specimen was centrifuged promptly, but not analyzed in a timely fashion. As a result, the serum potassium values: A. decreased B. increased C. impossible to analyze D. were unaffected
A
D. were unaffected
82
Q
What advantage does a pneumatic tube delivery system offer?
A. decreases specimen delivery time
B. increases specimen delivery time
C. reduces contamination risks to personnel
D. reduces the number of hemolyzed blood specimens
A
A. decreases specimen delivery time
83
Q
If a specimen is left uncovered, which of the following test results may be affected? A. alcohol B. potassium C. type and crossmatch D. type and screen
A
A. alcohol
84
Q
If the specimen is contaminated with talc, which of the following results may be affected? A. CBC B. WBC C. calcium D. potassium
A
C. calcium
85
Q
Neonatal specimens for PKU analysis should be collected using: A. filter paper B. glass slides C. Microtainer tubes D. Unopette system
A
A. filter paper
86
Q
Following collection, filter paper specimens should be dried at which of the following temperatures? A. 4C B. 20C C. 37C D. 56C
A
B. 20C
87
Q
Following collection, filter paper specimens should be dried horizontally for at least how long? A. 1 hour B. 2 hours C. 3 hours D. 4 hours
A
C. 3 hours
88
Q
At what angle should filter paper specimens be stacked, prior to transport to the laboratory that will perform the analysis? A. 15 B. 45 C. 90 D. 180
A
D. 180
89
Q
Which of the following collection devices is used to transfer neonatal capillary specimens to filter paper? A. heparinized capillary tubes B. plain capillary tubes C. MLA pipette D. Unopette pipette
A
A. heparinized capillary tubes
90
Q
Within how many hours must filter paper specimens be mailed to the laboratory following collections? A. 3 hours B. 6 hours C. 24 hours D. 48 hours
A
C. 24 hours
91
Q
What type of measurement system is most often used in bedside glucose testing analyzers? A. refractometer B. reflectometer C. tachometer D. T/S meter
A
B. reflectometer
92
Q
Which of the following terms refers to obtaining a part of a patient's specimen for analysis? A. accession B. aliquot C. centrifuge D. filter
A
B. aliquot
93
Q
At what speed are most blood specimens centrifuged? A. 250 to 500g B. 500 to 750g C. 850 to 1000g D. 1000 to 2000g
A
C. 850 to 1000g
94
Q
A phlebotomist has placed several blood specimens into the centrifuge and started it. If the centrifuge begins to vibrate, the phlebotomist should: A. call a code B. call the security dept C. pull the fire alarm D. turn off the centrifuge
A
D. turn off the centrifuge
95
Q
If blood specimens have been placed in a centrifuge correctly, they will be placed:
A. at random in the centrifuge
B. on the left side of the centrifuge
C. on the right side of the centrifuge
D. similar sized tubes opposite each other
A
D. similar sized tubes opposite each other
96
Q
To safely remove stoppers from evacuated tubes, the phlebotomist should us: A. an alcohol prep pad B. a centrifuge C. gauze D. a pipette
A
C. gauze
97
Q
How long following collection must a phlebotomist wait for a specimen collected in a red stoppered SST evacuated tube to clot? A. 0 minutes B. 15 minutes C. 30 minutes D. 60 minutes
A
C. 30 minutes
98
Q
How long following collection must a phlebotomist wait to centrifuge a specimen collected in a green stoppered PST evacuated tube? A. 0 minutes B. 15 minutes C. 30 minutes D. 60 minutes
A
A. 0 minutes
99
Q
If the serum of a specimen collected for type and crossmatch is hemolyzed, the medical laboratory technician should: A. perform the type and crossmatch B. perform a type and screen only C. refer the specimen to a reference lab D. reject the specimen
A
D. reject the specimen
100
Q
If a specimen collected for cold agglutinin analysis was collected in a gel separation tube, the MLT should: A. accept the specimen B. reject the specimen C. warm the specimen D. send the specimen to a reference lab
A
B. reject the specimen
101
Q
A patient’s requistion form reads “Jane Jones.” If the label on the corresponding specimen reads, “J. Jones,” the MLT should:
A. ask the PBT to use full names on all future labels and analyze
B. accept the specimen
C. change the label
D. reject the specimen
A
D. reject the specimen
102
Q
Listed below are colors of conventional stoppers for evacuated tubes. Which stopper color would be selected most often to collect specimens analyzed in the coagulation department? A. green B. red C. light blue D. royal blue
A
C. light blue
103
Q
Listed below are colors of conventional stoppers for evacuated tubes. Which stopper color would be selected most often to collect specimens analyzed in the hematology department? A. green B. lavender C. light blue D. royal blue
A
B. lavender
