CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
9TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)MARY LOUISE
TURGEON
TEST BANK
Q1
Reference: Ch. 1 — Fundamentals of the Clinical Laboratory —
Clinical laboratory overview / Scope of practice
Stem: A physician requests a panel of tests that includes basic
metabolic panel (BMP) and coagulation studies for an
outpatient seen at a physician office that sends samples to a
central lab. Specimens arrive separated by courier; potassium is
6.2 mmol/L, sodium 138 mmol/L, and the specimen shows a
large clot. The lab uses automated chemistry analyzers with ISE
for electrolytes. Which is the best laboratory interpretation and
next step?
,A. Report potassium 6.2 mmol/L and notify clinician
immediately — clot has no effect on ISE.
B. Reject the specimen for clotting and request a recollection
because clot can cause spurious hyperkalemia.
C. Centrifuge and run chemistry; report potassium with a
comment that hemolysis may have increased K+.
D. Dilute sample 1:2 and rerun to confirm potassium before
reporting.
Correct answer: B
Rationale (correct): A visible clot indicates inadequate
anticoagulation for plasma-based tests; clotting can cause
platelet lysis and pseudohyperkalemia. Pre-analytical integrity is
compromised, so recollection preserves patient safety and
assay validity. Recollection with proper anticoagulated tube is
required before actionable reporting.
Rationale (incorrect):
A — False: clotting can cause artifactual K+ elevation; reporting
without addressing pre-analytical error risks harm.
C — Centrifugation may still yield inaccurate K+ if clotting
caused cell release; comment doesn’t correct compromised
specimen.
D — Dilution alters matrix and is not an accepted correction for
pre-analytical clot artifacts.
Teaching point: Visible clot in anticoagulated tube → reject and
recollect; pre-analytical integrity matters.
,Citation: Turgeon, M. L. (9th ed.). Clinical Laboratory Science.
Ch. 1.
Q2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Fundamentals of the Clinical Laboratory —
Clinical Laboratory Science as a Profession
Stem: A new MLS graduate questions why the lab director
requires documentation of competency for bench staff
performing a new point-of-care glucose meter. The program
director cites regulatory and accreditation obligations. Which
rationale best aligns with professional and regulatory
expectations?
A. Competency documentation is optional; it’s internal policy
only.
B. Competency documentation is required by regulatory
standards and ensures quality patient care.
C. Competency is only needed for initial hire and then every five
years.
D. Competency primarily protects the laboratory from litigation,
not patient care.
Correct answer: B
Rationale (correct): Competency assessments are mandated by
regulatory/accrediting bodies to ensure accurate testing and
patient safety; they demonstrate ongoing proficiency and are
essential quality documentation.
, Rationale (incorrect):
A — Incorrect: Not optional; many regulations require
documented competency.
C — Incorrect: Frequency is more frequent (annually or per
policy), not a one-time multi-year event.
D — Partially true but misleading: legal protection is secondary;
primary goal is patient safety and quality.
Teaching point: Documented competency protects quality and
meets regulatory/accreditation requirements.
Citation: Turgeon, M. L. (9th ed.). Clinical Laboratory Science.
Ch. 1.
Q3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Fundamentals of the Clinical Laboratory —
Clinical laboratory program accreditation
Stem: A hospital lab seeks programmatic accreditation for its
MLS educational program and must demonstrate curriculum
alignment and outcomes. Which element is most critical to
program accreditation by the recognized agency?
A. Number of elective courses offered to students.
B. Documented student learning outcomes and competency
assessments.
C. Location of clinical sites only within the hospital.
D. Faculty publication count.
9TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)MARY LOUISE
TURGEON
TEST BANK
Q1
Reference: Ch. 1 — Fundamentals of the Clinical Laboratory —
Clinical laboratory overview / Scope of practice
Stem: A physician requests a panel of tests that includes basic
metabolic panel (BMP) and coagulation studies for an
outpatient seen at a physician office that sends samples to a
central lab. Specimens arrive separated by courier; potassium is
6.2 mmol/L, sodium 138 mmol/L, and the specimen shows a
large clot. The lab uses automated chemistry analyzers with ISE
for electrolytes. Which is the best laboratory interpretation and
next step?
,A. Report potassium 6.2 mmol/L and notify clinician
immediately — clot has no effect on ISE.
B. Reject the specimen for clotting and request a recollection
because clot can cause spurious hyperkalemia.
C. Centrifuge and run chemistry; report potassium with a
comment that hemolysis may have increased K+.
D. Dilute sample 1:2 and rerun to confirm potassium before
reporting.
Correct answer: B
Rationale (correct): A visible clot indicates inadequate
anticoagulation for plasma-based tests; clotting can cause
platelet lysis and pseudohyperkalemia. Pre-analytical integrity is
compromised, so recollection preserves patient safety and
assay validity. Recollection with proper anticoagulated tube is
required before actionable reporting.
Rationale (incorrect):
A — False: clotting can cause artifactual K+ elevation; reporting
without addressing pre-analytical error risks harm.
C — Centrifugation may still yield inaccurate K+ if clotting
caused cell release; comment doesn’t correct compromised
specimen.
D — Dilution alters matrix and is not an accepted correction for
pre-analytical clot artifacts.
Teaching point: Visible clot in anticoagulated tube → reject and
recollect; pre-analytical integrity matters.
,Citation: Turgeon, M. L. (9th ed.). Clinical Laboratory Science.
Ch. 1.
Q2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Fundamentals of the Clinical Laboratory —
Clinical Laboratory Science as a Profession
Stem: A new MLS graduate questions why the lab director
requires documentation of competency for bench staff
performing a new point-of-care glucose meter. The program
director cites regulatory and accreditation obligations. Which
rationale best aligns with professional and regulatory
expectations?
A. Competency documentation is optional; it’s internal policy
only.
B. Competency documentation is required by regulatory
standards and ensures quality patient care.
C. Competency is only needed for initial hire and then every five
years.
D. Competency primarily protects the laboratory from litigation,
not patient care.
Correct answer: B
Rationale (correct): Competency assessments are mandated by
regulatory/accrediting bodies to ensure accurate testing and
patient safety; they demonstrate ongoing proficiency and are
essential quality documentation.
, Rationale (incorrect):
A — Incorrect: Not optional; many regulations require
documented competency.
C — Incorrect: Frequency is more frequent (annually or per
policy), not a one-time multi-year event.
D — Partially true but misleading: legal protection is secondary;
primary goal is patient safety and quality.
Teaching point: Documented competency protects quality and
meets regulatory/accreditation requirements.
Citation: Turgeon, M. L. (9th ed.). Clinical Laboratory Science.
Ch. 1.
Q3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Fundamentals of the Clinical Laboratory —
Clinical laboratory program accreditation
Stem: A hospital lab seeks programmatic accreditation for its
MLS educational program and must demonstrate curriculum
alignment and outcomes. Which element is most critical to
program accreditation by the recognized agency?
A. Number of elective courses offered to students.
B. Documented student learning outcomes and competency
assessments.
C. Location of clinical sites only within the hospital.
D. Faculty publication count.
