ASCP Technologist in Chemistry C(ASCP)
Examination Questions and Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. The primary purpose of quality control (QC) in a clinical chemistry laboratory
is to:
A. Increase specimen volume
B. Reduce reagent costs
C. Monitor the accuracy and precision of test results
D. Shorten reporting time
Correct Answer: C. Monitor the accuracy and precision of test results
Rationale: Quality control verifies that an analytical system is producing reliable,
accurate, and precise results before patient results are reported.
2. Accuracy in laboratory testing refers to:
A. Agreement among repeated measurements
B. Closeness of a result to the true value
C. Speed of analysis
D. Number of specimens analyzed
Correct Answer: B. Closeness of a result to the true value
Rationale: Accuracy describes how closely a measured value matches the
accepted or true value.
,3. Precision refers to:
A. Closeness to the true value
B. Reproducibility of repeated measurements
C. Instrument sensitivity
D. Reagent stability
Correct Answer: B. Reproducibility of repeated measurements
Rationale: Precision indicates how closely repeated measurements agree with
one another.
4. Which specimen is most commonly used for routine clinical chemistry
testing?
A. Whole blood
B. Urine
C. Cerebrospinal fluid
D. Serum
Correct Answer: D. Serum
Rationale: Serum is the preferred specimen for many routine chemistry assays
because it lacks clotting factors that may interfere with testing.
5. Hemolysis primarily interferes with laboratory results by:
A. Lowering sodium concentration only
B. Releasing intracellular components into serum
C. Increasing plasma volume
D. Reducing specimen pH only
Correct Answer: B. Releasing intracellular components into serum
Rationale: Hemolysis releases potassium, LDH, AST, and other intracellular
constituents, producing falsely elevated results.
,6. Which anticoagulant is commonly used for plasma chemistry testing?
A. Sodium fluoride only
B. Lithium heparin
C. EDTA only
D. Sodium citrate only
Correct Answer: B. Lithium heparin
Rationale: Lithium heparin is widely used for plasma chemistry because it
minimally interferes with many analytes.
7. A fasting specimen is especially important when measuring:
A. Calcium
B. Sodium
C. Glucose
D. Chloride
Correct Answer: C. Glucose
Rationale: Food intake can significantly affect blood glucose concentrations.
8. Which quality control rule detects random analytical error?
A. 10x rule
B. 1₃s rule
C. 4₁s rule
D. 8x rule
Correct Answer: B. 1₃s rule
Rationale: A single control exceeding ±3 standard deviations suggests random
analytical error.
9. Calibration of an analyzer is performed to:
, A. Increase specimen stability
B. Establish the relationship between signal and analyte concentration
C. Prevent hemolysis
D. Reduce reagent consumption
Correct Answer: B. Establish the relationship between signal and analyte
concentration
Rationale: Calibration ensures instrument responses accurately correspond to
analyte concentrations.
10. A standard operating procedure (SOP) should be:
A. Memorized but not documented
B. Written, approved, and followed consistently
C. Changed daily
D. Used only during inspections
Correct Answer: B. Written, approved, and followed consistently
Rationale: SOPs ensure standardized laboratory procedures and regulatory
compliance.
11. Which organization accredits many clinical laboratories in the United States?
A. OSHA
B. FDA
C. College of American Pathologists (CAP)
D. EPA
Correct Answer: C. College of American Pathologists (CAP)
Rationale: CAP provides laboratory accreditation through inspections and quality
standards.
12. Which glucose test best reflects average blood glucose over the previous 2–3
months?
Examination Questions and Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. The primary purpose of quality control (QC) in a clinical chemistry laboratory
is to:
A. Increase specimen volume
B. Reduce reagent costs
C. Monitor the accuracy and precision of test results
D. Shorten reporting time
Correct Answer: C. Monitor the accuracy and precision of test results
Rationale: Quality control verifies that an analytical system is producing reliable,
accurate, and precise results before patient results are reported.
2. Accuracy in laboratory testing refers to:
A. Agreement among repeated measurements
B. Closeness of a result to the true value
C. Speed of analysis
D. Number of specimens analyzed
Correct Answer: B. Closeness of a result to the true value
Rationale: Accuracy describes how closely a measured value matches the
accepted or true value.
,3. Precision refers to:
A. Closeness to the true value
B. Reproducibility of repeated measurements
C. Instrument sensitivity
D. Reagent stability
Correct Answer: B. Reproducibility of repeated measurements
Rationale: Precision indicates how closely repeated measurements agree with
one another.
4. Which specimen is most commonly used for routine clinical chemistry
testing?
A. Whole blood
B. Urine
C. Cerebrospinal fluid
D. Serum
Correct Answer: D. Serum
Rationale: Serum is the preferred specimen for many routine chemistry assays
because it lacks clotting factors that may interfere with testing.
5. Hemolysis primarily interferes with laboratory results by:
A. Lowering sodium concentration only
B. Releasing intracellular components into serum
C. Increasing plasma volume
D. Reducing specimen pH only
Correct Answer: B. Releasing intracellular components into serum
Rationale: Hemolysis releases potassium, LDH, AST, and other intracellular
constituents, producing falsely elevated results.
,6. Which anticoagulant is commonly used for plasma chemistry testing?
A. Sodium fluoride only
B. Lithium heparin
C. EDTA only
D. Sodium citrate only
Correct Answer: B. Lithium heparin
Rationale: Lithium heparin is widely used for plasma chemistry because it
minimally interferes with many analytes.
7. A fasting specimen is especially important when measuring:
A. Calcium
B. Sodium
C. Glucose
D. Chloride
Correct Answer: C. Glucose
Rationale: Food intake can significantly affect blood glucose concentrations.
8. Which quality control rule detects random analytical error?
A. 10x rule
B. 1₃s rule
C. 4₁s rule
D. 8x rule
Correct Answer: B. 1₃s rule
Rationale: A single control exceeding ±3 standard deviations suggests random
analytical error.
9. Calibration of an analyzer is performed to:
, A. Increase specimen stability
B. Establish the relationship between signal and analyte concentration
C. Prevent hemolysis
D. Reduce reagent consumption
Correct Answer: B. Establish the relationship between signal and analyte
concentration
Rationale: Calibration ensures instrument responses accurately correspond to
analyte concentrations.
10. A standard operating procedure (SOP) should be:
A. Memorized but not documented
B. Written, approved, and followed consistently
C. Changed daily
D. Used only during inspections
Correct Answer: B. Written, approved, and followed consistently
Rationale: SOPs ensure standardized laboratory procedures and regulatory
compliance.
11. Which organization accredits many clinical laboratories in the United States?
A. OSHA
B. FDA
C. College of American Pathologists (CAP)
D. EPA
Correct Answer: C. College of American Pathologists (CAP)
Rationale: CAP provides laboratory accreditation through inspections and quality
standards.
12. Which glucose test best reflects average blood glucose over the previous 2–3
months?
