ASCP MB III: Laboratory
Operations Exam Questions and
Answers 100% PASS
you receive a specimen in a lavender top vacutainer tube (EDTA). Test requires specimen be
in a yellow top ACD vacutainer tube. What should you do?—ANSWER-follow lab protocol for
accepting and rejecting specimens
best way to store RNA for longer than a month?—ANSWER-ethanol, at -20°C or -80°C
peripheral blood—ANSWER-- in EDTA, ACD, heparin (some circ).
- clotted/hemolyzed blood very rarely acceptable
liquid pap—ANSWER-used for HPV testing
nasopharyngeal swab—ANSWER-FluA/B/RSV
bone marrow—ANSWER-- analyzed with FISH
- requires high resolution methods (HLA typing)
- store at 4C
CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments)—ANSWER-passed by Congress to
establish quality testing standards to ensure consistent patient test results
, solid tissue—ANSWER-if not processed immediately, should be snap frozen in liquid nitrogen
paraffin-embedded tissues—ANSWER-- generally yield lower quality DNA and RNA
- PCR and RT-PCR are routinely performed on these samples (not southern and northern
blot)
brown top collection tube—ANSWER-- sodium heparin
- cytogenic studies, molecular studies
PPT Tube—ANSWER-- black 'tiger' pattern
- contain coagulants, polymer gel that separates granulocytes and some lymphocytes from
erythrocytes upon centrifugation
- used for separation of white cells for genetics and chimerism testing
- used for HIV and HCV analysis
isolated DNA—ANSWER-- preferred for long term storage
- can be stored at room temperature for several months or at least 1 year in the refrigerator
- (purified) store at -70C in tightly sealed tubes for 10+ years
- multiple freeze thaw cycles can damage; if in use store in fridge
blood and bone marrow specimens—ANSWER-- ship overnight at room temperature or with
ice packs
isolated RNA—ANSWER-- storage at room or fridge temp no recommended without
stabilization
© 2026 Copyright. All Rights Reserved. This document is
protected by copyright law, Copyrighted By Brittie Donald
Operations Exam Questions and
Answers 100% PASS
you receive a specimen in a lavender top vacutainer tube (EDTA). Test requires specimen be
in a yellow top ACD vacutainer tube. What should you do?—ANSWER-follow lab protocol for
accepting and rejecting specimens
best way to store RNA for longer than a month?—ANSWER-ethanol, at -20°C or -80°C
peripheral blood—ANSWER-- in EDTA, ACD, heparin (some circ).
- clotted/hemolyzed blood very rarely acceptable
liquid pap—ANSWER-used for HPV testing
nasopharyngeal swab—ANSWER-FluA/B/RSV
bone marrow—ANSWER-- analyzed with FISH
- requires high resolution methods (HLA typing)
- store at 4C
CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments)—ANSWER-passed by Congress to
establish quality testing standards to ensure consistent patient test results
, solid tissue—ANSWER-if not processed immediately, should be snap frozen in liquid nitrogen
paraffin-embedded tissues—ANSWER-- generally yield lower quality DNA and RNA
- PCR and RT-PCR are routinely performed on these samples (not southern and northern
blot)
brown top collection tube—ANSWER-- sodium heparin
- cytogenic studies, molecular studies
PPT Tube—ANSWER-- black 'tiger' pattern
- contain coagulants, polymer gel that separates granulocytes and some lymphocytes from
erythrocytes upon centrifugation
- used for separation of white cells for genetics and chimerism testing
- used for HIV and HCV analysis
isolated DNA—ANSWER-- preferred for long term storage
- can be stored at room temperature for several months or at least 1 year in the refrigerator
- (purified) store at -70C in tightly sealed tubes for 10+ years
- multiple freeze thaw cycles can damage; if in use store in fridge
blood and bone marrow specimens—ANSWER-- ship overnight at room temperature or with
ice packs
isolated RNA—ANSWER-- storage at room or fridge temp no recommended without
stabilization
© 2026 Copyright. All Rights Reserved. This document is
protected by copyright law, Copyrighted By Brittie Donald
