DLM(ASCP) PRACTICE EXAMINATION 2026–2027 —
DIPLOMATE IN LABORATORY MANAGEMENT
STUDY GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027 |
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | EXAM
REVIEW | 100% CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS | ALREADY GRADED A+
1. Which of the following is the primary responsibility of a
laboratory manager?
A) Performing all laboratory testing
B) Ensuring accurate, timely, and cost-effective laboratory
services while maintaining compliance
C) Repairing laboratory instruments
D) Only managing inventory
Correct Answer: B
The laboratory manager oversees all operations, ensuring
quality testing, regulatory compliance, financial performance,
and staff development. Performing testing, repairing
instruments, or only inventory are not the primary role.
2. A laboratory is experiencing a significant increase in
turnaround time for basic metabolic panels. What is the
first step in addressing this problem?
A) Discipline all staff
, B) Analyze workflow and identify bottlenecks
C) Purchase new analyzers immediately
D) Ignore the issue
Correct Answer: B
The first step in process improvement is to analyze the
workflow, collect data, and identify root causes of delays before
implementing changes. Disciplining staff, purchasing
equipment, or ignoring the issue is not appropriate without
analysis.
3. Which of the following is a key component of a laboratory
quality management system?
A) Only using expired reagents
B) Documented policies, procedures, and quality control
C) No staff training
D) Ignoring proficiency testing
Correct Answer: B
A quality management system includes documented policies
and procedures, quality control, proficiency testing, training,
and continuous improvement. Using expired reagents, no
training, or ignoring PT are serious deficiencies.
4. A laboratory manager is preparing a budget. Which of the
following is a variable cost?
A) Laboratory director salary
B) Reagents and supplies based on test volume
, C) Building rent
D) Equipment depreciation
Correct Answer: B
Reagents and supplies vary with test volume, making them
variable costs. Director salary, rent, and depreciation are fixed
costs that do not vary directly with volume.
5. Under CLIA regulations, which of the following tests is
classified as waived?
A) Complete blood count
B) Urine dipstick for glucose
C) Pap smear
D) Blood culture
Correct Answer: B
Urine dipstick for glucose is a commonly waived test. CBC, Pap
smears, and blood cultures are moderate or high complexity
tests requiring more stringent requirements.
6. A laboratory has a critical value that needs to be reported.
What is the correct procedure?
A) Report only if the physician calls
B) Immediately notify the appropriate licensed caregiver
and document the communication
C) Leave a voicemail without follow-up
D) Only document the result in the LIS
, Correct Answer: B
Critical values must be reported immediately to the appropriate
caregiver, and the communication must be documented,
including time, person notified, and result. Leaving a voicemail
without confirmation or only documenting in the LIS is
insufficient.
7. Which of the following is an example of a leading indicator
of laboratory quality?
A) Number of complaints received
B) Staff compliance with hand hygiene
C) Number of corrected reports
D) Turnaround time outliers
Correct Answer: B
Hand hygiene compliance is a leading indicator that predicts
future quality and safety. Complaints, corrected reports, and TAT
outliers are lagging indicators reflecting past performance.
8. A laboratory manager is implementing a new test. What is
the first step before offering the test to patients?
A) Start testing immediately
B) Validate the test method and establish reference ranges
C) Advertise the new test
D) Only train one technologist
Correct Answer: B
Before offering a new test, the laboratory must validate the
DIPLOMATE IN LABORATORY MANAGEMENT
STUDY GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027 |
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | EXAM
REVIEW | 100% CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS | ALREADY GRADED A+
1. Which of the following is the primary responsibility of a
laboratory manager?
A) Performing all laboratory testing
B) Ensuring accurate, timely, and cost-effective laboratory
services while maintaining compliance
C) Repairing laboratory instruments
D) Only managing inventory
Correct Answer: B
The laboratory manager oversees all operations, ensuring
quality testing, regulatory compliance, financial performance,
and staff development. Performing testing, repairing
instruments, or only inventory are not the primary role.
2. A laboratory is experiencing a significant increase in
turnaround time for basic metabolic panels. What is the
first step in addressing this problem?
A) Discipline all staff
, B) Analyze workflow and identify bottlenecks
C) Purchase new analyzers immediately
D) Ignore the issue
Correct Answer: B
The first step in process improvement is to analyze the
workflow, collect data, and identify root causes of delays before
implementing changes. Disciplining staff, purchasing
equipment, or ignoring the issue is not appropriate without
analysis.
3. Which of the following is a key component of a laboratory
quality management system?
A) Only using expired reagents
B) Documented policies, procedures, and quality control
C) No staff training
D) Ignoring proficiency testing
Correct Answer: B
A quality management system includes documented policies
and procedures, quality control, proficiency testing, training,
and continuous improvement. Using expired reagents, no
training, or ignoring PT are serious deficiencies.
4. A laboratory manager is preparing a budget. Which of the
following is a variable cost?
A) Laboratory director salary
B) Reagents and supplies based on test volume
, C) Building rent
D) Equipment depreciation
Correct Answer: B
Reagents and supplies vary with test volume, making them
variable costs. Director salary, rent, and depreciation are fixed
costs that do not vary directly with volume.
5. Under CLIA regulations, which of the following tests is
classified as waived?
A) Complete blood count
B) Urine dipstick for glucose
C) Pap smear
D) Blood culture
Correct Answer: B
Urine dipstick for glucose is a commonly waived test. CBC, Pap
smears, and blood cultures are moderate or high complexity
tests requiring more stringent requirements.
6. A laboratory has a critical value that needs to be reported.
What is the correct procedure?
A) Report only if the physician calls
B) Immediately notify the appropriate licensed caregiver
and document the communication
C) Leave a voicemail without follow-up
D) Only document the result in the LIS
, Correct Answer: B
Critical values must be reported immediately to the appropriate
caregiver, and the communication must be documented,
including time, person notified, and result. Leaving a voicemail
without confirmation or only documenting in the LIS is
insufficient.
7. Which of the following is an example of a leading indicator
of laboratory quality?
A) Number of complaints received
B) Staff compliance with hand hygiene
C) Number of corrected reports
D) Turnaround time outliers
Correct Answer: B
Hand hygiene compliance is a leading indicator that predicts
future quality and safety. Complaints, corrected reports, and TAT
outliers are lagging indicators reflecting past performance.
8. A laboratory manager is implementing a new test. What is
the first step before offering the test to patients?
A) Start testing immediately
B) Validate the test method and establish reference ranges
C) Advertise the new test
D) Only train one technologist
Correct Answer: B
Before offering a new test, the laboratory must validate the
