MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN
PRACTICE EXAMINATION QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES
1. Which organization establishes standards for protecting
laboratory personnel from occupational exposure to
bloodborne pathogens in the United States?
A. OSHA
B. FDA
C. EPA
D. CDC
Correct Answer: A. OSHA
,Rationale: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) establishes and enforces workplace safety standards,
including those addressing bloodborne pathogen exposure.
2. What is the most appropriate action after a needlestick
injury?
A. Continue working if the wound is small
B. Wash the area and report the exposure immediately
C. Apply bleach to the wound
D. Cover the wound and report it at the end of the shift
Correct Answer: B. Wash the area and report the exposure
immediately
Rationale: The exposed area should be washed promptly with
soap and water, and the incident must be reported
immediately for appropriate evaluation and post-exposure
management.
,3. Which type of quality control detects random error most
effectively?
A. Running one control level once per month
B. Using duplicate patient specimens
C. Monitoring control results over time
D. Reviewing only the highest patient result
Correct Answer: C. Monitoring control results over time
Rationale: Quality-control charts, such as Levey-Jennings
charts, help identify random variation and systematic trends
in laboratory testing.
4. A control result exceeds the laboratory's established
acceptable range. What should the technician do first?
A. Report all patient results
B. Ignore the result if patient values appear normal
, C. Investigate the control failure before reporting affected
patient results
D. Change the reference range
Correct Answer: C. Investigate the control failure before
reporting affected patient results
Rationale: Patient results should not be released when the
analytical system may be unreliable. The cause of the control
failure must be investigated and corrected.
5. Which fire extinguisher classification is appropriate for an
electrical fire?
A. Class A
B. Class B
C. Class C
D. Class D
PRACTICE EXAMINATION QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES
1. Which organization establishes standards for protecting
laboratory personnel from occupational exposure to
bloodborne pathogens in the United States?
A. OSHA
B. FDA
C. EPA
D. CDC
Correct Answer: A. OSHA
,Rationale: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) establishes and enforces workplace safety standards,
including those addressing bloodborne pathogen exposure.
2. What is the most appropriate action after a needlestick
injury?
A. Continue working if the wound is small
B. Wash the area and report the exposure immediately
C. Apply bleach to the wound
D. Cover the wound and report it at the end of the shift
Correct Answer: B. Wash the area and report the exposure
immediately
Rationale: The exposed area should be washed promptly with
soap and water, and the incident must be reported
immediately for appropriate evaluation and post-exposure
management.
,3. Which type of quality control detects random error most
effectively?
A. Running one control level once per month
B. Using duplicate patient specimens
C. Monitoring control results over time
D. Reviewing only the highest patient result
Correct Answer: C. Monitoring control results over time
Rationale: Quality-control charts, such as Levey-Jennings
charts, help identify random variation and systematic trends
in laboratory testing.
4. A control result exceeds the laboratory's established
acceptable range. What should the technician do first?
A. Report all patient results
B. Ignore the result if patient values appear normal
, C. Investigate the control failure before reporting affected
patient results
D. Change the reference range
Correct Answer: C. Investigate the control failure before
reporting affected patient results
Rationale: Patient results should not be released when the
analytical system may be unreliable. The cause of the control
failure must be investigated and corrected.
5. Which fire extinguisher classification is appropriate for an
electrical fire?
A. Class A
B. Class B
C. Class C
D. Class D