Oklahoma Clinical Laboratory
Assistant Exam Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationale 2027 Q&A| Instant
Download Pdf.
1. A clinical laboratory assistant receives a blood specimen for
complete blood count (CBC) testing. Before processing the
specimen, the assistant verifies the patient's name and another
approved identifier against the requisition and the specimen label.
Which principle is most important in this procedure?
A. Specimen identification is necessary only for specimens requiring blood
banking procedures.
B. Patient identification can be based solely on the room number when
the patient is hospitalized.
C. Two appropriate patient identifiers should be used to ensure that the
specimen is associated with the correct patient.
D. The specimen may be accepted if the handwriting on the label
resembles the handwriting on the requisition.
,Proper patient identification is a fundamental laboratory safety
requirement because an incorrectly identified specimen can result in
testing errors, inappropriate treatment, and serious patient harm.
2. A clinical laboratory assistant is preparing to collect venous blood
from an adult patient. After verifying the patient's identity and
explaining the procedure, the assistant applies a tourniquet and
selects an appropriate antecubital vein. Which action should
generally occur immediately before needle insertion?
A. Remove the tourniquet and immediately insert the needle.
B. Cleanse the intended puncture site with an appropriate antiseptic
and allow it to dry.
C. Palpate the vein repeatedly after antiseptic application.
D. Apply a second tourniquet directly over the first.
Allowing the antiseptic to dry helps reduce contamination and
minimizes discomfort associated with antiseptic being introduced into
the puncture site.
3. During venipuncture, a patient suddenly becomes pale, diaphoretic,
and complains of dizziness. The patient appears likely to faint. What
should the clinical laboratory assistant do first?
A. Continue collecting the specimen as rapidly as possible.
B. Ask the patient to stand and walk around to improve circulation.
C. Stop the procedure, remove the needle safely, and protect the
,patient from injury.
D. Leave the patient alone while obtaining emergency equipment.
A vasovagal reaction can cause syncope and injury, so the immediate
priority is to stop the procedure and protect the patient while obtaining
appropriate assistance according to facility protocol.
4. A patient requires a fasting blood specimen. The patient reports
having consumed a meal shortly before arriving at the laboratory.
What is the most appropriate action?
A. Collect the specimen and simply omit the fasting status from the
record.
B. Tell the patient that eating cannot affect laboratory testing.
C. Follow laboratory policy for a nonfasting patient, which may include
notifying the appropriate provider and determining whether collection
should be postponed.
D. Ask the patient to drink a large amount of juice before collection.
Fasting requirements vary by test, and food intake can affect certain
analytes; therefore, the assistant should document the issue and follow
established laboratory and provider instructions.
5. Which additive is typically present in a lavender-top blood
collection tube used for hematology testing such as a CBC?
A. Sodium citrate
B. Heparin
, C. Sodium fluoride
D. EDTA
EDTA binds calcium and prevents coagulation, making it the standard
anticoagulant for many hematology tests, including the complete blood
count.
6. A light-blue-top tube is collected for coagulation studies. Which
additive is normally contained in this tube?
A. EDTA
B. Heparin
C. Sodium citrate
D. Sodium fluoride and potassium oxalate
Sodium citrate reversibly binds calcium and is used for coagulation
testing because the clotting process can subsequently be initiated under
controlled laboratory conditions.
7. When collecting multiple blood specimens by venipuncture, the
clinical laboratory assistant follows the established order of draw
primarily to prevent:
A. Hemolysis caused by excessive tourniquet pressure.
B. Patient identification errors.
C. Carryover of additives from one tube into another specimen.
D. Blood from entering the collection needle.
Assistant Exam Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationale 2027 Q&A| Instant
Download Pdf.
1. A clinical laboratory assistant receives a blood specimen for
complete blood count (CBC) testing. Before processing the
specimen, the assistant verifies the patient's name and another
approved identifier against the requisition and the specimen label.
Which principle is most important in this procedure?
A. Specimen identification is necessary only for specimens requiring blood
banking procedures.
B. Patient identification can be based solely on the room number when
the patient is hospitalized.
C. Two appropriate patient identifiers should be used to ensure that the
specimen is associated with the correct patient.
D. The specimen may be accepted if the handwriting on the label
resembles the handwriting on the requisition.
,Proper patient identification is a fundamental laboratory safety
requirement because an incorrectly identified specimen can result in
testing errors, inappropriate treatment, and serious patient harm.
2. A clinical laboratory assistant is preparing to collect venous blood
from an adult patient. After verifying the patient's identity and
explaining the procedure, the assistant applies a tourniquet and
selects an appropriate antecubital vein. Which action should
generally occur immediately before needle insertion?
A. Remove the tourniquet and immediately insert the needle.
B. Cleanse the intended puncture site with an appropriate antiseptic
and allow it to dry.
C. Palpate the vein repeatedly after antiseptic application.
D. Apply a second tourniquet directly over the first.
Allowing the antiseptic to dry helps reduce contamination and
minimizes discomfort associated with antiseptic being introduced into
the puncture site.
3. During venipuncture, a patient suddenly becomes pale, diaphoretic,
and complains of dizziness. The patient appears likely to faint. What
should the clinical laboratory assistant do first?
A. Continue collecting the specimen as rapidly as possible.
B. Ask the patient to stand and walk around to improve circulation.
C. Stop the procedure, remove the needle safely, and protect the
,patient from injury.
D. Leave the patient alone while obtaining emergency equipment.
A vasovagal reaction can cause syncope and injury, so the immediate
priority is to stop the procedure and protect the patient while obtaining
appropriate assistance according to facility protocol.
4. A patient requires a fasting blood specimen. The patient reports
having consumed a meal shortly before arriving at the laboratory.
What is the most appropriate action?
A. Collect the specimen and simply omit the fasting status from the
record.
B. Tell the patient that eating cannot affect laboratory testing.
C. Follow laboratory policy for a nonfasting patient, which may include
notifying the appropriate provider and determining whether collection
should be postponed.
D. Ask the patient to drink a large amount of juice before collection.
Fasting requirements vary by test, and food intake can affect certain
analytes; therefore, the assistant should document the issue and follow
established laboratory and provider instructions.
5. Which additive is typically present in a lavender-top blood
collection tube used for hematology testing such as a CBC?
A. Sodium citrate
B. Heparin
, C. Sodium fluoride
D. EDTA
EDTA binds calcium and prevents coagulation, making it the standard
anticoagulant for many hematology tests, including the complete blood
count.
6. A light-blue-top tube is collected for coagulation studies. Which
additive is normally contained in this tube?
A. EDTA
B. Heparin
C. Sodium citrate
D. Sodium fluoride and potassium oxalate
Sodium citrate reversibly binds calcium and is used for coagulation
testing because the clotting process can subsequently be initiated under
controlled laboratory conditions.
7. When collecting multiple blood specimens by venipuncture, the
clinical laboratory assistant follows the established order of draw
primarily to prevent:
A. Hemolysis caused by excessive tourniquet pressure.
B. Patient identification errors.
C. Carryover of additives from one tube into another specimen.
D. Blood from entering the collection needle.
