FLORIDA CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST
EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
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1. Which anticoagulant is commonly used for coagulation studies?
A. EDTA
B. Heparin
C. Sodium citrate
D. Potassium oxalate
Rationale: Sodium citrate binds calcium reversibly, preserving
coagulation factors for testing.
2. The primary purpose of a gram stain is to:
A. Identify viral particles
B. Differentiate bacterial cell wall types
C. Determine bacterial motility
D. Measure bacterial growth rate
Rationale: Gram staining differentiates bacteria based on the thickness
of peptidoglycan in the cell wall.
3. In urinalysis, a urine pH of 5.0 is considered:
A. Alkaline
B. Acidic
C. Neutral
D. Contaminated
Rationale: Normal urine pH ranges from 4.5 to 8.0; 5.0 is acidic.
,4. Which method is most appropriate for bacterial quantification?
A. Gram stain
B. Plate count method
C. ELISA
D. PCR
Rationale: Plate count allows for enumeration of viable bacteria in a
sample.
5. What is the primary function of hemoglobin?
A. Immunity
B. Oxygen transport
C. Blood clotting
D. Hormone regulation
Rationale: Hemoglobin binds oxygen in red blood cells and transports it
to tissues.
6. Which test is used to monitor heparin therapy?
A. PT
B. aPTT
C. INR
D. D-dimer
Rationale: aPTT is sensitive to heparin’s effect on the intrinsic and
common coagulation pathways.
7. Normal fasting blood glucose levels are typically:
A. 20–50 mg/dL
B. 60–80 mg/dL
C. 70–100 mg/dL
D. 110–140 mg/dL
Rationale: Fasting glucose in healthy adults is usually 70–100 mg/dL.
8. Which cell type produces antibodies?
A. T-cells
, B. Macrophages
C. B-cells
D. Neutrophils
Rationale: B-cells differentiate into plasma cells that secrete antibodies.
9. The best specimen for anaerobic culture is:
A. Swab in air
B. Anaerobic transport tube
C. Urine sample
D. Serum
Rationale: Anaerobic bacteria die quickly in oxygen, so proper transport
is crucial.
10. Which of the following is a common quality control material for
chemistry analyzers?
A. Urine
B. Plasma
C. Commercially prepared controls
D. Saliva
Rationale: Commercial controls with known values ensure accuracy of
analytical instruments.
11. The purpose of a standard curve in spectrophotometry is to:
A. Measure pH
B. Determine unknown concentrations
C. Calibrate pipettes
D. Analyze protein structure
Rationale: Absorbance of known concentrations allows interpolation of
unknown sample concentration.
12. Which electrolyte is primarily responsible for neuromuscular
function?
A. Sodium
EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which anticoagulant is commonly used for coagulation studies?
A. EDTA
B. Heparin
C. Sodium citrate
D. Potassium oxalate
Rationale: Sodium citrate binds calcium reversibly, preserving
coagulation factors for testing.
2. The primary purpose of a gram stain is to:
A. Identify viral particles
B. Differentiate bacterial cell wall types
C. Determine bacterial motility
D. Measure bacterial growth rate
Rationale: Gram staining differentiates bacteria based on the thickness
of peptidoglycan in the cell wall.
3. In urinalysis, a urine pH of 5.0 is considered:
A. Alkaline
B. Acidic
C. Neutral
D. Contaminated
Rationale: Normal urine pH ranges from 4.5 to 8.0; 5.0 is acidic.
,4. Which method is most appropriate for bacterial quantification?
A. Gram stain
B. Plate count method
C. ELISA
D. PCR
Rationale: Plate count allows for enumeration of viable bacteria in a
sample.
5. What is the primary function of hemoglobin?
A. Immunity
B. Oxygen transport
C. Blood clotting
D. Hormone regulation
Rationale: Hemoglobin binds oxygen in red blood cells and transports it
to tissues.
6. Which test is used to monitor heparin therapy?
A. PT
B. aPTT
C. INR
D. D-dimer
Rationale: aPTT is sensitive to heparin’s effect on the intrinsic and
common coagulation pathways.
7. Normal fasting blood glucose levels are typically:
A. 20–50 mg/dL
B. 60–80 mg/dL
C. 70–100 mg/dL
D. 110–140 mg/dL
Rationale: Fasting glucose in healthy adults is usually 70–100 mg/dL.
8. Which cell type produces antibodies?
A. T-cells
, B. Macrophages
C. B-cells
D. Neutrophils
Rationale: B-cells differentiate into plasma cells that secrete antibodies.
9. The best specimen for anaerobic culture is:
A. Swab in air
B. Anaerobic transport tube
C. Urine sample
D. Serum
Rationale: Anaerobic bacteria die quickly in oxygen, so proper transport
is crucial.
10. Which of the following is a common quality control material for
chemistry analyzers?
A. Urine
B. Plasma
C. Commercially prepared controls
D. Saliva
Rationale: Commercial controls with known values ensure accuracy of
analytical instruments.
11. The purpose of a standard curve in spectrophotometry is to:
A. Measure pH
B. Determine unknown concentrations
C. Calibrate pipettes
D. Analyze protein structure
Rationale: Absorbance of known concentrations allows interpolation of
unknown sample concentration.
12. Which electrolyte is primarily responsible for neuromuscular
function?
A. Sodium
