CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
9TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)MARY LOUISE
TURGEON
TEST BANK
1. Reference
Ch. 1 — Clinical Laboratory Science — Clinical laboratory
overview
Stem
A 58-year-old inpatient has an elevated AST (98 U/L) and ALT
(102 U/L) reported by an automated spectrophotometric
analyzer. The specimen was grossly hemolyzed. The lab tech
considers releasing the values because the instrument QC is
within limits. What is the best laboratory action?
A. Release results with “hemolyzed sample” comment.
B. Repeat assay after diluting the hemolyzed sample.
,C. Request a redraw and cancel current results.
D. Apply a hemolysis index correction factor and release.
Correct answer: C
Rationale — Correct
Hemolysis can falsely elevate AST and ALT due to intracellular
release; when hemolysis is gross, redraw is necessary to ensure
clinical accuracy and patient safety. Cancellation and redraw
follow pre-analytical integrity principles.
Rationales — Incorrect
A: Reporting without repeat risks clinical mismanagement from
falsely elevated transaminases.
B: Dilution does not correct intracellular interference and may
not restore validity.
D: Hemolysis indices help interpret mild hemolysis but cannot
reliably correct gross hemolysis.
Teaching point
Gross hemolysis invalidates enzymatic assays — request redraw.
Citation
Turgeon, M. L. (9th ed.). Clinical Laboratory Science. Ch. 1.
2. Reference
Ch. 1 — Clinical Laboratory Science — Clinical laboratory
science as a profession
,Stem
A newly hired MLS is asked to perform a test outside their
documented competency because the workload is high. The
tech reports hesitation to the supervisor. Which action aligns
best with professional and regulatory responsibilities?
A. Perform the test to avoid patient care delays.
B. Perform the test only with verbal instruction from a
coworker.
C. Refuse and document lack of competency; request
assignment to qualified staff.
D. Learn on-the-job and perform the test, documenting results
as provisional.
Correct answer: C
Rationale — Correct
Regulatory and professional standards require documented
competency before performing testing. Refusal with
documentation and escalation protects patient safety and
meets regulatory (CLIA) requirements.
Rationales — Incorrect
A: Doing unauthorized testing violates competency standards
and risks harm.
B: Verbal instruction without documented competency is
noncompliant.
D: Learning on-the-job without validation breaches quality
system and regulatory rules.
, Teaching point
Only perform procedures for which competency is documented.
Citation
Turgeon, M. L. (9th ed.). Clinical Laboratory Science. Ch. 1.
3. Reference
Ch. 1 — Clinical Laboratory Science — Clinical laboratory
overview
Stem
A point-of-care glucose meter in a med-surg unit shows
persistent drift upward vs central lab results. Device QC (two-
level) passed this morning. Which analytic evaluation should
the lab director order first?
A. Replace test strips and retest patient.
B. Review lot numbers and external QC records and perform
instrument calibration check.
C. Retrain unit staff immediately on technique.
D. Ignore drift because QC passed and continue use.
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct
Drift despite daily QC suggests calibration or lot-specific issues;
reviewing lot numbers and external QC trends plus performing
calibration verification addresses root causes and regulatory QA
requirements.
9TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)MARY LOUISE
TURGEON
TEST BANK
1. Reference
Ch. 1 — Clinical Laboratory Science — Clinical laboratory
overview
Stem
A 58-year-old inpatient has an elevated AST (98 U/L) and ALT
(102 U/L) reported by an automated spectrophotometric
analyzer. The specimen was grossly hemolyzed. The lab tech
considers releasing the values because the instrument QC is
within limits. What is the best laboratory action?
A. Release results with “hemolyzed sample” comment.
B. Repeat assay after diluting the hemolyzed sample.
,C. Request a redraw and cancel current results.
D. Apply a hemolysis index correction factor and release.
Correct answer: C
Rationale — Correct
Hemolysis can falsely elevate AST and ALT due to intracellular
release; when hemolysis is gross, redraw is necessary to ensure
clinical accuracy and patient safety. Cancellation and redraw
follow pre-analytical integrity principles.
Rationales — Incorrect
A: Reporting without repeat risks clinical mismanagement from
falsely elevated transaminases.
B: Dilution does not correct intracellular interference and may
not restore validity.
D: Hemolysis indices help interpret mild hemolysis but cannot
reliably correct gross hemolysis.
Teaching point
Gross hemolysis invalidates enzymatic assays — request redraw.
Citation
Turgeon, M. L. (9th ed.). Clinical Laboratory Science. Ch. 1.
2. Reference
Ch. 1 — Clinical Laboratory Science — Clinical laboratory
science as a profession
,Stem
A newly hired MLS is asked to perform a test outside their
documented competency because the workload is high. The
tech reports hesitation to the supervisor. Which action aligns
best with professional and regulatory responsibilities?
A. Perform the test to avoid patient care delays.
B. Perform the test only with verbal instruction from a
coworker.
C. Refuse and document lack of competency; request
assignment to qualified staff.
D. Learn on-the-job and perform the test, documenting results
as provisional.
Correct answer: C
Rationale — Correct
Regulatory and professional standards require documented
competency before performing testing. Refusal with
documentation and escalation protects patient safety and
meets regulatory (CLIA) requirements.
Rationales — Incorrect
A: Doing unauthorized testing violates competency standards
and risks harm.
B: Verbal instruction without documented competency is
noncompliant.
D: Learning on-the-job without validation breaches quality
system and regulatory rules.
, Teaching point
Only perform procedures for which competency is documented.
Citation
Turgeon, M. L. (9th ed.). Clinical Laboratory Science. Ch. 1.
3. Reference
Ch. 1 — Clinical Laboratory Science — Clinical laboratory
overview
Stem
A point-of-care glucose meter in a med-surg unit shows
persistent drift upward vs central lab results. Device QC (two-
level) passed this morning. Which analytic evaluation should
the lab director order first?
A. Replace test strips and retest patient.
B. Review lot numbers and external QC records and perform
instrument calibration check.
C. Retrain unit staff immediately on technique.
D. Ignore drift because QC passed and continue use.
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct
Drift despite daily QC suggests calibration or lot-specific issues;
reviewing lot numbers and external QC trends plus performing
calibration verification addresses root causes and regulatory QA
requirements.
