Illinois Medical Laboratory Technician
Licensing Examination Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following anticoagulants is commonly used for
coagulation studies?
A. EDTA
B. Sodium citrate
C. Heparin
D. Potassium oxalate
Rationale: Sodium citrate binds calcium reversibly, preserving clotting
factors for coagulation assays.
2. The most common cause of a false-negative blood culture result is:
A. Contamination
, B. Prior antibiotic therapy
C. Poor technique
D. Hemolysis
Rationale: Antibiotics can suppress bacterial growth, leading to false- negative
results.
3. What is the reference range for adult hemoglobin (Hb)?
A. 8–12 g/dL
B. 10–14 g/dL
C. 12–16 g/dL
D. 14–18 g/dL
Rationale: Normal adult hemoglobin levels are generally 12–16 g/dL for
females and 14–18 g/dL for males.
4. Which test is used to monitor long-term glucose control in diabetic
patients?
A. Fasting glucose
B. Oral glucose tolerance test
C. Random glucose
D. Hemoglobin A1c
Rationale: Hemoglobin A1c reflects average blood glucose over the past
2–3 months.
5. A blood smear shows microcytic, hypochromic RBCs. The most likely
cause is:
A. Vitamin B12 deficiency
, B. Iron deficiency anemia
C. Aplastic anemia
D. Hemolytic anemia
Rationale: Iron deficiency leads to smaller, paler red cells due to impaired
hemoglobin synthesis.
6. Which microorganism is most commonly associated with urinary tract
infections?
A. Staphylococcus aureus
B. Streptococcus pyogenes
C. Escherichia coli
D. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Rationale: E. coli accounts for approximately 80% of uncomplicated UTIs.
7. Which type of white blood cell increases primarily during allergic
reactions?
A. Neutrophils
B. Lymphocytes
C. Eosinophils
D. Monocytes
Rationale: Eosinophils play a key role in allergic and parasitic responses.
8. A patient’s potassium level is 6.2 mEq/L. This condition is called:
A. Hypokalemia
, B. Hyponatremia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypernatremia
Rationale: Serum potassium above 5.0 mEq/L is classified as hyperkalemia,
which can cause cardiac arrhythmias.
9. Which stain is used to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis?
A. Gram stain
B. Ziehl-Neelsen (acid-fast) stain
C. Wright stain
D. Giemsa stain
Rationale: Acid-fast stains specifically highlight Mycobacterium species due
to their mycolic acid-rich cell walls.
10. Hemolysis of a blood sample can lead to:
A. Increased WBC count
B. Falsely elevated potassium
C. Decreased glucose
D. Falsely low sodium
Rationale: Hemolysis releases intracellular potassium into the serum, causing
falsely high readings.
11. Which of the following is a typical symptom of acute leukemia?
A. Hypertension
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Anemia and easy bruising
Licensing Examination Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following anticoagulants is commonly used for
coagulation studies?
A. EDTA
B. Sodium citrate
C. Heparin
D. Potassium oxalate
Rationale: Sodium citrate binds calcium reversibly, preserving clotting
factors for coagulation assays.
2. The most common cause of a false-negative blood culture result is:
A. Contamination
, B. Prior antibiotic therapy
C. Poor technique
D. Hemolysis
Rationale: Antibiotics can suppress bacterial growth, leading to false- negative
results.
3. What is the reference range for adult hemoglobin (Hb)?
A. 8–12 g/dL
B. 10–14 g/dL
C. 12–16 g/dL
D. 14–18 g/dL
Rationale: Normal adult hemoglobin levels are generally 12–16 g/dL for
females and 14–18 g/dL for males.
4. Which test is used to monitor long-term glucose control in diabetic
patients?
A. Fasting glucose
B. Oral glucose tolerance test
C. Random glucose
D. Hemoglobin A1c
Rationale: Hemoglobin A1c reflects average blood glucose over the past
2–3 months.
5. A blood smear shows microcytic, hypochromic RBCs. The most likely
cause is:
A. Vitamin B12 deficiency
, B. Iron deficiency anemia
C. Aplastic anemia
D. Hemolytic anemia
Rationale: Iron deficiency leads to smaller, paler red cells due to impaired
hemoglobin synthesis.
6. Which microorganism is most commonly associated with urinary tract
infections?
A. Staphylococcus aureus
B. Streptococcus pyogenes
C. Escherichia coli
D. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Rationale: E. coli accounts for approximately 80% of uncomplicated UTIs.
7. Which type of white blood cell increases primarily during allergic
reactions?
A. Neutrophils
B. Lymphocytes
C. Eosinophils
D. Monocytes
Rationale: Eosinophils play a key role in allergic and parasitic responses.
8. A patient’s potassium level is 6.2 mEq/L. This condition is called:
A. Hypokalemia
, B. Hyponatremia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypernatremia
Rationale: Serum potassium above 5.0 mEq/L is classified as hyperkalemia,
which can cause cardiac arrhythmias.
9. Which stain is used to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis?
A. Gram stain
B. Ziehl-Neelsen (acid-fast) stain
C. Wright stain
D. Giemsa stain
Rationale: Acid-fast stains specifically highlight Mycobacterium species due
to their mycolic acid-rich cell walls.
10. Hemolysis of a blood sample can lead to:
A. Increased WBC count
B. Falsely elevated potassium
C. Decreased glucose
D. Falsely low sodium
Rationale: Hemolysis releases intracellular potassium into the serum, causing
falsely high readings.
11. Which of the following is a typical symptom of acute leukemia?
A. Hypertension
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Anemia and easy bruising
