LABORATORY MANAGEMENT - ASCP Review Hub – Study Guides, Practice Questions, and Exam Prep

Laboratory Management questions with detailed answers and explanations:

1. Which of the following is the most important consideration when handling biohazardous specimens?

Proper labeling
Wearing gloves and appropriate protective equipment
Use of refrigeration
Avoiding contamination of the specimen

2. Which of the following is an essential component of laboratory quality control?
Calibration of equipment
Verification of test results by repeating tests
Proper storage of reagents
All of the above

3. When should a laboratory technician perform a system maintenance check on laboratory instruments?
Only when the instrument shows an error
Regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions
Before any test is performed
After every test run

4. What should a medical technologist do if they encounter a sample with an unexpectedly high result?
Immediately report the result to the physician
Repeat the test or verify the result with an additional test
Discard the sample and retest
Ignore the result, assuming it is a mistake

5. What should be the first step when an accidental spill of a chemical occurs in the laboratory?
Clean up the spill immediately
Evacuate the laboratory
Notify the supervisor and refer to the material safety data sheet (MSDS)
Ignore it and continue working

6. Which type of specimen requires immediate processing to prevent degradation?
Urine
Blood cultures
Sputum
Stool samples

7. What is the correct procedure when handling a patient sample that is potentially infectious?
Place it directly in the testing area without a cover
Discard it immediately
Ensure the sample is labeled correctly, and use personal protective equipment (PPE)
Wait for the supervisor to handle the sample

8. Which of the following is the best method for ensuring laboratory results are accurate and reproducible?
Standardization of procedures and reagents
Frequent changes in laboratory methods
Relying on one set of test results
Reporting results without reviewing them

9. When performing a blood draw, which of the following should be done to ensure proper sample collection?
Use the smallest needle size available
Avoid using a tourniquet
Clean the collection site with an antiseptic wipe before inserting the needle
Draw multiple samples from the same vein without proper technique

10. What is the primary reason for performing calibration checks on laboratory instruments?
To ensure the instruments are correctly adjusted and providing accurate readings
To ensure the instrument is cleaned properly
To change the settings to meet specific patient needs
To calibrate the system for the next patient sample

11. What should be done if a laboratory instrument malfunctions during testing?
Ignore the malfunction and continue testing
Stop testing and notify the laboratory supervisor
Call the manufacturer to resolve the issue while continuing to test
Use another instrument without informing anyone

12. Which of the following is NOT an acceptable method for disposing of used syringes in the laboratory?
Placing in a designated sharps container
Disposing in a regular trash bin
Disposing of according to institutional safety protocols
Ensuring the cap is securely on the syringe before disposal

13. What is the function of a centrifuge in the laboratory?
To mix substances
To separate substances based on their density
To heat substances
To filter liquids

14. Which of the following statements about quality control in the laboratory is TRUE?
Quality control is only necessary for high-volume tests
It helps identify and correct any errors in testing procedures
Quality control can be skipped if no issues arise with testing
Only senior laboratory staff need to participate in quality control

15. What is the primary concern when using liquid nitrogen in the laboratory?
It is a flammable material
It poses a risk of cryogenic burns
It is an explosive substance
It is toxic to humans

16. How should a medical technologist handle a sample that has been incorrectly labeled?
Discard the sample immediately
Report the issue and request a new sample from the patient
Ignore the labeling error and proceed with testing
Attempt to label it correctly

17. What type of sample is most commonly used for microbiological culture?
Blood
Sputum
Urine
Stool

18. Which of the following is considered the most important step when preventing contamination of a microbiological culture?
Using sterile equipment
Ensuring proper labeling
Storing cultures at the correct temperature
Ensuring a clean workbench

19. Which method is commonly used to sterilize laboratory equipment?
Filtration
Autoclaving
Freezing
Incubation

20. What is the role of a laboratory safety officer?
To perform all laboratory testing
To ensure that safety protocols are followed and maintain a safe working environment
To calibrate laboratory instruments
To clean the laboratory facilities

21. When should a laboratory technician wear personal protective equipment (PPE)?
Only when working with chemicals
During all laboratory testing and when handling samples
Only when handling infectious specimens
Only during high-risk tests

22. What is the most effective way to prevent cross-contamination in laboratory tests?
Using disposable pipettes
Sterilizing all equipment after each test
Ensuring proper labeling of samples
Both A and B

23. How should blood specimens be stored if they cannot be processed immediately?
At room temperature
In a refrigerator, unless otherwise specified
In a freezer
In a warming incubator

24. Which of the following is the main purpose of using a positive control in laboratory testing?
To determine if the test is working correctly
To ensure the sample is not contaminated
To improve test sensitivity
To calibrate the instrument

25. What action should be taken if an incorrect reagent is used in a test?
Continue the test and ignore the error
Discard the test results and restart the procedure with the correct reagent
Notify the supervisor and retest after recalibration
Wait for the test to complete and report the result