Question 1

A blood sample collected from a nonfasting patient may result in a plasma characteristic that is called what?&#10;A) Hemolysis&#10;B) Icteric&#10;C) Lipemia&#10;D) Polycythemia

Accepted Answer

Lipemia refers to the turbidity or milky appearance of plasma due to high levels of lipids (fats) in the blood. This can occur if the patient has eaten a fatty meal prior to the blood draw, which can affect certain laboratory test results. Hemolysis refers to the breakdown of red blood cells, which can release their contents (including hemoglobin) into the plasma and affect certain laboratory test results. Icteric refers to the yellowing of plasma due to high levels of bilirubin, which can occur in patients with liver or gallbladder disease. Polycythemia refers to an increased number of red blood cells, which can affect certain laboratory test results.

Question 2

Which of the following organizations mandates quality assurance programs?&#10;A) AMA&#10;B) ASCP&#10;C) Joint Commission&#10;D) OSHA

Accepted Answer

The Joint Commission mandates quality assurance programs for healthcare organizations. The AMA (American Medical Association) is a professional organization for physicians, the ASCP (American Society for Clinical Pathology) is a professional organization for laboratory professionals, and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is a government agency that sets and enforces workplace safety standards.

Question 3

Which of the following represents the major goal of total quality management (TQM) programs?&#10;A) QA&#10;B) QC&#10;C) CQI&#10;D) QP

Accepted Answer

The major goal of total quality management (TQM) programs is continuous quality improvement (CQI). While QA (quality assurance) and QC (quality control) are important components of TQM, they are not the main goal. QP (quality planning) is also a component of TQM, but not the major goal.

Question 4

A blood sample collected from a patient who is standing up will have higher levels of what analyte compared to samples from a patient who is supine?&#10;A) Albumin&#10;B) Calcium&#10;C) Creatinine&#10;D) Urea

Accepted Answer

When a patient is standing up, there is an increase in the concentration of plasma proteins, including albumin, due to hemoconcentration. This is because of the reduced plasma volume in the upright position compared to when the patient is supine.

Question 5

For a patient on anticoagulant therapy, pressure should be held on a venipuncture site longer than normal to avoid which of the following complications?&#10;A) Compartment syndrome&#10;B) Hemolysis&#10;C) Infection&#10;D) Nerve damage

Accepted Answer

Compartment syndrome can occur due to bleeding into the muscle compartment, increasing pressure and potentially causing severe complications. Anticoagulant therapy increases the risk of bleeding, hence the need for prolonged pressure application after venipuncture to minimize this risk.

Question 6

Before collecting any specimen, the phlebotomist should do which of the following?&#10;A) Label the tubes with patient information.&#10;B) Uncap collection tubes to release the vacuum.&#10;C) Observe the needle for burrs or blunt points.&#10;D) Ask the patient whether he has had anything to eat.

Accepted Answer

The phlebotomist should inspect the needle for any defects such as burrs or blunt points to ensure patient safety and the integrity of the blood draw.

Question 7

Which of the following terms refers to a QA procedure that helps spot identification errors by comparing previous results on the patient to current results?&#10;A) Analytic variable&#10;B) Chi-square&#10;C) Delta check&#10;D) Diurnal check

Accepted Answer

Delta check is a QA procedure that compares previous and current results on a patient to help identify identification errors. Analytic variable refers to a factor that can affect test results, chi-square is a statistical test used to compare categorical data, and diurnal check refers to a QA procedure that involves comparing results between morning and afternoon testing. None of these terms pertain specifically to identifying identification errors through comparing previous and current results.

Question 8

Which of the following medications causes a prolonged bleeding time?&#10;A) Aspirin&#10;B) Accutane&#10;C) Benadryl&#10;D) Tylenol

Accepted Answer

Aspirin is known to inhibit platelet function and prolong bleeding time. It acts as a blood thinner and can increase the risk of bleeding. Accutane and Benadryl do not affect bleeding time, and Tylenol may slightly increase bleeding time but not to the extent of aspirin.

Question 9

Which of the following refers to the quantitative methods used to monitor the quality of procedures to ensure accurate test results?&#10;A) QA&#10;B) QC&#10;C) CQI&#10;D) TQM

Accepted Answer

QC (Quality Control) refers to the quantitative methods used to monitor the quality of procedures to ensure accurate test results. QA (Quality Assurance) is a broader term that includes QC as well as organizational policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure quality. CQI (Continuous Quality Improvement) and TQM (Total Quality Management) are management strategies focused on improving the overall quality of an organization, and may include both QA and QC methodologies.

Question 10

Blood levels of which of the following often increase with age?&#10;A) Cholesterol and triglycerides&#10;B) Electrolytes&#10;C) RBC and WBC counts&#10;D) Thyroid hormones

Accepted Answer

Blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides often increase with age, especially in individuals who have an unhealthy diet or are inactive. This can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Question 11

Which philosophy sees the potential for improvement in every area, no matter how high the current performance level?&#10;A) QA&#10;B) QC&#10;C) QP&#10;D) TQM

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which philosophy sees the potential for improvement...

Question 12

A delay in reporting test results is considered what type of variable?&#10;A) Analytic&#10;B) Preanalytic&#10;C) Postanalytic&#10;D) Quality monitors

Accepted Answer

The answer of A delay in reporting test results is...

Question 13

A phlebotomist is most responsible for controlling for which of the following types of variables in test results?&#10;A) Analytic&#10;B) Preanalytic&#10;C) Postanalytic&#10;D) Quality monitors

Accepted Answer

The answer of A phlebotomist is most responsible for controlling...

Question 14

Which of the following refers to the entire set of approaches used by the institution to provide patient satisfaction?&#10;A) QA&#10;B) QC&#10;C) CQI&#10;D) TQM

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following refers to the...

Question 15

Improper identification of the patient is considered what type of variable?&#10;A) Analytic&#10;B) Preanalytic&#10;C) Postanalytic&#10;D) Quality monitors

Accepted Answer

The answer of Improper identification of the patient is considered...

Question 16

A sample drawn for which of the following requires special timing due to diurnal variation in its blood levels?&#10;A) Cortisol&#10;B) Hemoglobin&#10;C) Potassium&#10;D) Sodium

Accepted Answer

The answer of A sample drawn for which of the...

Question 17

What document contains information about laboratory schedules, patient preparation, and specimen handling?&#10;A) Delta check&#10;B) Directory of services&#10;C) Procedure manual&#10;D) QA manual

Accepted Answer

The answer of What document contains information about laboratory schedules,...

Question 18

Which of the following stands for the larger set of methods used to guarantee quality patient care, including patient preparation and specimen collection and transport protocols?&#10;A) QA&#10;B) QC&#10;C) CQI&#10;D) TQM

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following stands for the...

Question 19

What document in the laboratory contains information about the principles underlying testing and other protocols?&#10;A) Delta check&#10;B) Floor book&#10;C) Procedure manual&#10;D) QA manual

Accepted Answer

The answer of What document in the laboratory contains information...

Question 20

An error in machine calibration is what type of variable?&#10;A) Analytic&#10;B) Preanalytic&#10;C) Postanalytic&#10;D) Quality monitors

Accepted Answer

The answer of An error in machine calibration is what...

Question 21

Which of the following can occur in a blood sample if a patient has been suffering from prolonged diarrhea or vomiting?&#10;A) Compartment syndrome&#10;B) Hemoconcentration&#10;C) Hemolysis&#10;D) Occluded veins

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following can occur in...

Question 22

How often should centrifuges be calibrated?&#10;A) Every week&#10;B) Every month&#10;C) Every 3 months&#10;D) Every year

Accepted Answer

The answer of How often should centrifuges be calibrated?&#10;A) Every...

Question 23

How often should refrigerator and freezer temperatures be recorded?&#10;A) Hourly&#10;B) Daily&#10;C) Weekly&#10;D) Monthly

Accepted Answer

The answer of How often should refrigerator and freezer temperatures...

Question 24

Anxiety can increase levels of which of the following hormones?&#10;A) Cortisol from the adrenal cortex&#10;B) Estrogen from the ovaries&#10;C) ADH from the pituitary gland&#10;D) Testosterone from the testes

Accepted Answer

The answer of Anxiety can increase levels of which of...

Question 25

Values for which of the following are higher in patients living at high altitudes?&#10;A) Cholesterol and triglycerides&#10;B) BUN and creatinine&#10;C) Hematocrit and hemoglobin&#10;D) Sodium and potassium

Accepted Answer

The answer of Values for which of the following are...

Question 26

Men have a higher level than women of which analyte?&#10;A) Calcium&#10;B) Glucose&#10;C) Hemoglobin&#10;D) Potassium

Accepted Answer

The answer of Men have a higher level than women...

Question 27

Values for which of the following are higher in infants than adults?&#10;A) Cholesterol and triglycerides&#10;B) Electrolytes&#10;C) RBC and WBC counts&#10;D) Thyroid hormones

Accepted Answer

The answer of Values for which of the following are...

Deck 18: Quality Phlebotomy