ASCP LABORATORY OPERATIONS EXAMS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
1. The laboratory manager receives a complaint from the ICU about
turnaround times for coagulation tests. The first step in problem
solving should be - ANSWER-Gather data on current times by shift
2. Which action by the phlebotomist will comply with the CAP patient
safety goal "to improve patient and sample identification at the time of
specimen collection" and The Joint Commission Patient Safety Goal to
"improve the accuracy of patient identification"? - ANSWER-Match the
name and medical record number on the patient's ID bracelet to the
nae and medical record number on the preprinted collection label
3. If the information on a swab collected in the micro department is
different from the information on the requisition form, what do you do -
ANSWER-Document error and communicate to the lab supervisor so
that the risk manager conducts a root cause analysis
4. Preanalytical variables in laboratory testing includes - ANSWER-
specimen acceptability
5. The first procedure to be followed if the blood gas instrument is out-of-
control for all parameters is: - ANSWER-recalibrate, then repeat control
6. A graph shows a positive correlation with points fairly close to the line.
The new method can be described as - ANSWER-good correlation with
constant bias
7. A graph has 4 lines. A being the steepest and D being the least-steep.
The line that demonstrates a proportional error relationship is -
ANSWER-Line D
,8. Shown above is a levy-jenningsQC chart, which represents control
values for 13 consecutive analyses for a particular serum constituent.
If the 14th value is below the -2SD limit, Which of the following should
be done (points 7-14 will be descreasing) - ANSWER-Analysis system
should be checked for a deteriorating component
9. The precision of an instrument is validated by - ANSWER-running the
same sample multiple times
10. The mean value of a series of HGB controls was found to be 15.2
g/dL, and the standard deviation was calculated at 0.20. Acceptable
control range for the laboratory is +/- 2 SD. Which of the following
represents the allowable limits for the control? - ANSWER-14.8-15.6
g/dL
11. In QC, +/- 2 SD from the mean includes what % of the sample
population - ANSWER-95%
12. Upon completion of a run of cholesterol tests, the technician
recognizes that the controls are not within the 2 SD confidence range.
What s the appropriate course of action - ANSWER-Run a new set of
controls and repeat specimens
13. The following data were calculated on a series of 30
determination of serum uric acid control:
mean=5.8mg/dL
1SD =0.15 mg/dL
14. If the confidence limits are set at 2SD, what is the allowable
range - ANSWER-5.50-6.10 mg/dL
,15. An index of precision is statistically known as - ANSWER-
Coefficient of variation (CV)
the lower CV= better precision
16. The term used to describe reproducibility is - ANSWER-precision
17. The ability of a procedure to measure only the component(s) it
claims to measure is called - ANSWER-specificity
18. The extent to which measurements agree with the true value of
the quality being measured is known as - ANSWER-accuracy
19. Diagnostic specificity is defined as the percentage of individual -
ANSWER-without a given disease who have a negative result by a
given test
20. If the correlation coefficient (r) of two variables is 0: - ANSWER-
There is an absence of correlation
21. Employees are guaranteed the right to engage in self-
organization and collective bargaining through representatives of their
choice, or to refrain from these activities by which of the following -
ANSWER-National Labor Relations Act
22. Which of the following organizations was formed to encourage
the voluntary attainment of uniformly high standards in institutional
medical care - ANSWER-JCAHO
23. The process by which an agency or organization uses
predetermined standards to evaluate and recognize a program of study
in an institution is called - ANSWER-accreditation
, 24. CLIA was established to provide oversight to - ANSWER-any lab
performing patient testing
25. Which statement about proficiency testing is true - ANSWER-It is
necessary to assess results even if a PT challenge is ungraded
26. Which of the following is part of the joint commission's national
patient safety goals - ANSWER-communication of critical results
27. If your lab performs a test for which there is no commercially
available control of proficiency test material, which of the following is
acceptable for documentation of test accuracy - ANSWER-Have two
technologists perform the test independently
28. CAP requires refrigerator temperatures to be recorded: -
ANSWER-daily
29. A paper or electronic report of lab results must include -
ANSWER-The name and address of the testing laboratory
30. CAP requires that glassware cleaning practices include periodic
testing for - ANSWER-detergents
31. Prior to implementing a new lab test, the analytical
measurement range (AMP) must be verified. This is to verify a value
that can be - ANSWER-directly measured on a specimen without any
dilution or concentration
32. HIPAA is a federal law that requires - ANSWER-confidentiality of
patients' health care information between two organizations
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
1. The laboratory manager receives a complaint from the ICU about
turnaround times for coagulation tests. The first step in problem
solving should be - ANSWER-Gather data on current times by shift
2. Which action by the phlebotomist will comply with the CAP patient
safety goal "to improve patient and sample identification at the time of
specimen collection" and The Joint Commission Patient Safety Goal to
"improve the accuracy of patient identification"? - ANSWER-Match the
name and medical record number on the patient's ID bracelet to the
nae and medical record number on the preprinted collection label
3. If the information on a swab collected in the micro department is
different from the information on the requisition form, what do you do -
ANSWER-Document error and communicate to the lab supervisor so
that the risk manager conducts a root cause analysis
4. Preanalytical variables in laboratory testing includes - ANSWER-
specimen acceptability
5. The first procedure to be followed if the blood gas instrument is out-of-
control for all parameters is: - ANSWER-recalibrate, then repeat control
6. A graph shows a positive correlation with points fairly close to the line.
The new method can be described as - ANSWER-good correlation with
constant bias
7. A graph has 4 lines. A being the steepest and D being the least-steep.
The line that demonstrates a proportional error relationship is -
ANSWER-Line D
,8. Shown above is a levy-jenningsQC chart, which represents control
values for 13 consecutive analyses for a particular serum constituent.
If the 14th value is below the -2SD limit, Which of the following should
be done (points 7-14 will be descreasing) - ANSWER-Analysis system
should be checked for a deteriorating component
9. The precision of an instrument is validated by - ANSWER-running the
same sample multiple times
10. The mean value of a series of HGB controls was found to be 15.2
g/dL, and the standard deviation was calculated at 0.20. Acceptable
control range for the laboratory is +/- 2 SD. Which of the following
represents the allowable limits for the control? - ANSWER-14.8-15.6
g/dL
11. In QC, +/- 2 SD from the mean includes what % of the sample
population - ANSWER-95%
12. Upon completion of a run of cholesterol tests, the technician
recognizes that the controls are not within the 2 SD confidence range.
What s the appropriate course of action - ANSWER-Run a new set of
controls and repeat specimens
13. The following data were calculated on a series of 30
determination of serum uric acid control:
mean=5.8mg/dL
1SD =0.15 mg/dL
14. If the confidence limits are set at 2SD, what is the allowable
range - ANSWER-5.50-6.10 mg/dL
,15. An index of precision is statistically known as - ANSWER-
Coefficient of variation (CV)
the lower CV= better precision
16. The term used to describe reproducibility is - ANSWER-precision
17. The ability of a procedure to measure only the component(s) it
claims to measure is called - ANSWER-specificity
18. The extent to which measurements agree with the true value of
the quality being measured is known as - ANSWER-accuracy
19. Diagnostic specificity is defined as the percentage of individual -
ANSWER-without a given disease who have a negative result by a
given test
20. If the correlation coefficient (r) of two variables is 0: - ANSWER-
There is an absence of correlation
21. Employees are guaranteed the right to engage in self-
organization and collective bargaining through representatives of their
choice, or to refrain from these activities by which of the following -
ANSWER-National Labor Relations Act
22. Which of the following organizations was formed to encourage
the voluntary attainment of uniformly high standards in institutional
medical care - ANSWER-JCAHO
23. The process by which an agency or organization uses
predetermined standards to evaluate and recognize a program of study
in an institution is called - ANSWER-accreditation
, 24. CLIA was established to provide oversight to - ANSWER-any lab
performing patient testing
25. Which statement about proficiency testing is true - ANSWER-It is
necessary to assess results even if a PT challenge is ungraded
26. Which of the following is part of the joint commission's national
patient safety goals - ANSWER-communication of critical results
27. If your lab performs a test for which there is no commercially
available control of proficiency test material, which of the following is
acceptable for documentation of test accuracy - ANSWER-Have two
technologists perform the test independently
28. CAP requires refrigerator temperatures to be recorded: -
ANSWER-daily
29. A paper or electronic report of lab results must include -
ANSWER-The name and address of the testing laboratory
30. CAP requires that glassware cleaning practices include periodic
testing for - ANSWER-detergents
31. Prior to implementing a new lab test, the analytical
measurement range (AMP) must be verified. This is to verify a value
that can be - ANSWER-directly measured on a specimen without any
dilution or concentration
32. HIPAA is a federal law that requires - ANSWER-confidentiality of
patients' health care information between two organizations
