Question 1

An unlabeled specimen arrives in the laboratory with an accompanying requisition. The requisition is properly filled out. How should you proceed?

Accepted Answer

A)  Proceed with testing. 
B)  Do not proceed with the test and notify the supervisor. 
C)  Cancel the test and discard the tube. 
D)  Label the specimen yourself and proceed with the test.

Question 2

The delivery of accurate voltage and current by an electrophoresis power supply should be checked how often?

Accepted Answer

A)  Daily 
B)  Weekly 
C)  Monthly 
D)  Yearly

Question 3

Controls run in a capillary gel electrophoresis instrument have been consistently unacceptable. Low signal strength is evidence that the laser is not functioning properly. Which of the following is the correct course of action for the technologist in charge of this piece of equipment?

Accepted Answer

A)  Call the manufacturer, ask that a replacement laser be shipped, remove the old laser, and insert the new laser when it arrives. 
B)  Scan eBay for a compatible laser, purchase the laser, and replace the old laser with the newly purchased laser. 
C)  Request a service visit from the manufacturer's technical support team who can safely replace the old laser with a new laser. 
D)  Tag the instrument for removal and disposal, and order a new instrument from the manufacturer.

Question 4

An assay that detects an analyte associated with a particular disease only in patients who have that disease and not in patients who do not have the disease has which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  Analytic specificity 
B)  Analytic sensitivity 
C)  Clinical specificity 
D)  Clinical sensitivity

Question 5

Which of the following controls defines the lower limit of reproducible and accurate detection of a molecular target?

Accepted Answer

A)  Positive 
B)  Negative 
C)  Sensitivity 
D)  Amplification

Question 6

The ability of a molecular-based assay to detect only the analyte and not other targets is called which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  Clinical specificity 
B)  Clinical sensitivity 
C)  Analytic sensitivity 
D)  Analytic specificity

Question 7

A quantitative method was performed 100 times, and results from 99 of the 100 runs were in agreement with each other. This method has 99%:

Accepted Answer

A)  Precision 
B)  Specificity 
C)  Sensitivity 
D)  Accuracy

Question 8

A technologist in a tissue bank who performed HLA typing by DNA analysis was asked to bank all DNA extracted from specimens received in the laboratory so as to maintain the nucleic acid for the longest period in the most limited space. How should the DNA be stored to satisfy this request?

Accepted Answer

A)  Freeze-dried at 22o-25oC 
B)  DNase-free water at 22o-25oC 
C)  TE buffer at 2o-8oC 
D)  DNase-free water at -70oC

Question 9

A blood specimen is received in the laboratory for a PCR assay to detect cytomegalovirus (a DNA virus) on a Wednesday night. The PCR assay will not be performed until the next Monday morning. How should this specimen be stored to maintain the integrity of the nucleic acid prior to analysis?

Accepted Answer

A)  Lyze RBCs, centrifuge, and store at 22oC 
B)  Lyze RBCs, centrifuge, and store at -20o 
C)  Whole blood stored at 22o-25oC 
D)  Whole blood stored at 35o-37oC

Question 10

The analysis of external specimens to assess technologist competency and assay performance is which kind of testing?

Accepted Answer

A)  Proficiency 
B)  Quality control 
C)  Quality assurance 
D)  Competency

Exam 16: Quality Assurance and Quality Control in the Molecular Laboratory