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AMT MLT Exam Practice Questions with Answers (100 Questions)
Based on the AMT Medical Laboratory Technician exam content outline, the exam covers
nine weighted domains: General Laboratory (13%), Chemistry (18%), Hematology (13%),
Coagulation and Hemostasis (5%), Immunology and Serology (4%), Immunohematology
(10%), Blood Banking and Transfusion Services (6%), Microbiology (15%), and Urinalysis
and Body Fluids (16%) .
Section 1: General Laboratory & Quality Control (Questions 1–15)
Q1. A technologist receives a blood specimen labeled with only the patient's last name. The
requisition lists full name and date of birth. Which action is required?
A. Add the missing identifiers and proceed with testing
B. Process because the last name matches
C. Call the floor for verbal confirmation
D. Reject the specimen and request recollection
Answer: D
Rationale: Specimens must have at least two unique patient identifiers matching the
requisition. A single name is insufficient; rejection prevents misidentification errors .
Q2. A chemistry analyzer shows a glucose QC result 3.2 SD above the mean. Previous
controls were within limits. What is the most appropriate immediate action?
A. Report patient results and investigate later
B. Hold patient results and troubleshoot the system
C. Ignore the outlier because only one point is affected
D. Adjust the calibration factor until the control falls within range
Answer: B
Rationale: A control exceeding ±3 SD indicates a potential system problem. Patient results
must be held until the cause is corrected .
Q3. What is the coefficient of variation when the mean is 100 mg/dL and SD is 2.5 mg/dL?
A. 0.025%
B. 25%
C. 2.5%
D. 40%
Answer: C
Rationale: CV (%) = (SD/mean) × 100 = (2.5/100) × 100 = 2.5% .
Q4. Which fire extinguisher class is appropriate for an electrical instrument fire?
A. Class A
B. Class K
,2
C. Class C
D. Class B
Answer: C
Rationale: Class C extinguishers are designated for energized electrical equipment .
Q5. A Levey-Jennings chart shows 8 consecutive control values above the mean but within
±2 SD. What does this indicate?
A. System is in control
B. A shift indicating systematic error requiring investigation
C. Control material expired
D. Random error only
Answer: B
Rationale: A shift indicates systematic error such as calibration drift or reagent lot change .
Q6. What documentation satisfies CAP requirements for pipette accuracy verification?
A. Purchase invoices
B. Records of periodic gravimetric or photometric verification
C. Note that pipettes have been used for years
D. Verbal statement that pipettes look clean
Answer: B
Rationale: Regulatory standards require documented verification of volumetric equipment
accuracy at defined intervals .
Q7. What process monitors accuracy and reproducibility through control specimens?
A. Chain of custody
B. Quality control
C. Proficiency testing
D. Calibration
Answer: B
Rationale: Quality control monitors accuracy and reproducibility through control specimens .
Q8. A CSF specimen is delivered to the laboratory. What action is appropriate?
A. Refrigerate immediately
B. Deliver with routine specimens when convenient
C. Deliver immediately to appropriate testing areas
D. Incubate until routine testing can take place
Answer: C
Rationale: CSF specimens require immediate delivery for prompt analysis .
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Q9. The tourniquet should be applied how many inches above the venipuncture site?
A. 1-2 inches
B. 3-4 inches
C. 5-6 inches
D. 7-8 inches
Answer: B
Rationale: The tourniquet should be applied 3-4 inches above the puncture site .
Q10. Which vein is the first choice for routine venipuncture in adults?
A. Basilic vein
B. Cephalic vein
C. Dorsal hand vein
D. Median cubital vein
Answer: D
Rationale: The median cubital vein is preferred because it is large, well-anchored, and less
likely to roll .
Q11. A lavender-top tube contains which additive?
A. Sodium citrate
B. EDTA
C. Heparin
D. Sodium fluoride
Answer: B
Rationale: Lavender tubes contain EDTA for hematology studies (CBC, blood smears) .
Q12. What is the minimum blood-to-anticoagulant ratio for a light blue top tube?
A. 1:1
B. 2:1
C. 9:1
D. 4:1
Answer: C
Rationale: Light blue top tubes require a 9:1 blood-to-anticoagulant ratio .
Q13. A tourniquet should not be left on longer than which time to avoid
hemoconcentration?
A. 30 seconds
B. 1 minute
C. 2 minutes
D. 5 minutes
AMT MLT Exam Practice Questions with Answers (100 Questions)
Based on the AMT Medical Laboratory Technician exam content outline, the exam covers
nine weighted domains: General Laboratory (13%), Chemistry (18%), Hematology (13%),
Coagulation and Hemostasis (5%), Immunology and Serology (4%), Immunohematology
(10%), Blood Banking and Transfusion Services (6%), Microbiology (15%), and Urinalysis
and Body Fluids (16%) .
Section 1: General Laboratory & Quality Control (Questions 1–15)
Q1. A technologist receives a blood specimen labeled with only the patient's last name. The
requisition lists full name and date of birth. Which action is required?
A. Add the missing identifiers and proceed with testing
B. Process because the last name matches
C. Call the floor for verbal confirmation
D. Reject the specimen and request recollection
Answer: D
Rationale: Specimens must have at least two unique patient identifiers matching the
requisition. A single name is insufficient; rejection prevents misidentification errors .
Q2. A chemistry analyzer shows a glucose QC result 3.2 SD above the mean. Previous
controls were within limits. What is the most appropriate immediate action?
A. Report patient results and investigate later
B. Hold patient results and troubleshoot the system
C. Ignore the outlier because only one point is affected
D. Adjust the calibration factor until the control falls within range
Answer: B
Rationale: A control exceeding ±3 SD indicates a potential system problem. Patient results
must be held until the cause is corrected .
Q3. What is the coefficient of variation when the mean is 100 mg/dL and SD is 2.5 mg/dL?
A. 0.025%
B. 25%
C. 2.5%
D. 40%
Answer: C
Rationale: CV (%) = (SD/mean) × 100 = (2.5/100) × 100 = 2.5% .
Q4. Which fire extinguisher class is appropriate for an electrical instrument fire?
A. Class A
B. Class K
,2
C. Class C
D. Class B
Answer: C
Rationale: Class C extinguishers are designated for energized electrical equipment .
Q5. A Levey-Jennings chart shows 8 consecutive control values above the mean but within
±2 SD. What does this indicate?
A. System is in control
B. A shift indicating systematic error requiring investigation
C. Control material expired
D. Random error only
Answer: B
Rationale: A shift indicates systematic error such as calibration drift or reagent lot change .
Q6. What documentation satisfies CAP requirements for pipette accuracy verification?
A. Purchase invoices
B. Records of periodic gravimetric or photometric verification
C. Note that pipettes have been used for years
D. Verbal statement that pipettes look clean
Answer: B
Rationale: Regulatory standards require documented verification of volumetric equipment
accuracy at defined intervals .
Q7. What process monitors accuracy and reproducibility through control specimens?
A. Chain of custody
B. Quality control
C. Proficiency testing
D. Calibration
Answer: B
Rationale: Quality control monitors accuracy and reproducibility through control specimens .
Q8. A CSF specimen is delivered to the laboratory. What action is appropriate?
A. Refrigerate immediately
B. Deliver with routine specimens when convenient
C. Deliver immediately to appropriate testing areas
D. Incubate until routine testing can take place
Answer: C
Rationale: CSF specimens require immediate delivery for prompt analysis .
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Q9. The tourniquet should be applied how many inches above the venipuncture site?
A. 1-2 inches
B. 3-4 inches
C. 5-6 inches
D. 7-8 inches
Answer: B
Rationale: The tourniquet should be applied 3-4 inches above the puncture site .
Q10. Which vein is the first choice for routine venipuncture in adults?
A. Basilic vein
B. Cephalic vein
C. Dorsal hand vein
D. Median cubital vein
Answer: D
Rationale: The median cubital vein is preferred because it is large, well-anchored, and less
likely to roll .
Q11. A lavender-top tube contains which additive?
A. Sodium citrate
B. EDTA
C. Heparin
D. Sodium fluoride
Answer: B
Rationale: Lavender tubes contain EDTA for hematology studies (CBC, blood smears) .
Q12. What is the minimum blood-to-anticoagulant ratio for a light blue top tube?
A. 1:1
B. 2:1
C. 9:1
D. 4:1
Answer: C
Rationale: Light blue top tubes require a 9:1 blood-to-anticoagulant ratio .
Q13. A tourniquet should not be left on longer than which time to avoid
hemoconcentration?
A. 30 seconds
B. 1 minute
C. 2 minutes
D. 5 minutes
