ASCP MLT(ASCP) ASCP-MLT Questions & Answers

• Question 1:

  Conversion of only the slant to a pink color in a Christensen's urea agar slant is produced by bacterial species that have weak urease activity. The reaction in the slant to the right is often produced by Klebsiella species, as an example. Strong urease activity is indicated by conversion of the slant and the butt of the tube to a pink color, as seen in the tube to the left. The slant only reaction in the right tube may be seen early on if only the slant had been inoculated; however, with a strong urease producer, both the slant and the butt would turn. Therefore, the reaction is dependent on the strength of urease activity. If the media had outdated for a prolonged period, either there would be no reaction or the appearance of only a faint pink tinge, either in the slant, the butt or both, again depending on the strength of urease production by the unknown organism.

  The urease reaction seen in the Christensen's urea agar slant on the far right indicates:

  

  A. Weak activity

  B. Strong activity

  C. Slant only inoculated

  D. Use of outdated medium

  Correct Answer: A

• Question 2:

  The second choice is correct. Standard Precautions means to treat blood, all body fluids, all secretions (except sweat), all excretions, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes as if they were infectious. The purpose of this rule is to ensure the safety of and to protect those who come into contact with potentially infectious material.

  Which one statement about Standard Precautions is most correct?

  A. Standard Precautions means to treat all patients as if they were infectious.

  B. Standard Precautions means to treat blood, all body fluids, all secretions (except sweat), all excretions, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes as if they were infectious.

  C. Standard Precautions do not apply to feces or urine.

  D. Standard Precautions do not apply to pleural fluid or semen.

  Correct Answer: B

• Question 3:

  A phlebotomist draws an outpatient without wearing gloves. The outpatient displays a badge and cites the laboratory for not following the law. The outpatient is an employee of the:

  A. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

  B. Joint Commission (JC)

  C. OSHA D. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

  Correct Answer: C

• Question 4:

  In Rouleaux, red blood cells appear as stacked coins - formation occurs as the result of elevated globulins or fibrinogen. The RBCs indicated by the arrows in this illustration are the result of:

  A. Over drying of blood smear

  B. Rouleaux formation

  C. Cold agglutinins

  D. Sickle cell anemia

  Correct Answer: B

• Question 5:

  Basophilic stippling is the term used to describe red blood cells that contain tiny particles of RNA within their cytoplasm. Basophilic stippling is associated with many conditions, but is strongly associated with lead poisoning. Multiple small, dark blue particles scattered throughout the cytoplasm of erythrocytes is/are called:

  A. Pappenheimer bodies

  B. Basophilic stippling

  C. Heinz bodies

  D. Howell-Jolly bodies

  Correct Answer: A

• Question 6:

  Mode is defined as the number that occurs most frequently in a set of numbers. The value that occurs most frequently in a set of results or values would be termed:

  A. Mean

  B. Median

  C. Mode

  D. Standard deviation

  Correct Answer: C

• Question 7:

  To prevent blood from clotting the specimen must be:

  A. collected in a tube containing an anticoagulant.

  B. inverted right after collection.

  C. centrifuged right after collection.

  D. both A and B

  Correct Answer: D

• Question 8:

  Calculation:

  Cells Counted (in this case the average of both sides) X dilution factor (in this case 100) / # of squares counted (in this case 9) X area of each square (1mm2) X 0.1mm (depth factor)

  So, in this problem:

  158 x 100 / 9 x 1 x 0.1mm = 17555.55/mm3 (can be converted to 17.5 x 109/L*)

  *There are 1,000,000 mm3 in a liter (L). So 17555.55 X 1,000,000 = 17.5 x 109/L

  A manual white blood cell count was performed by the hematology technologist. The cell counts for both sides were 152 and 164 respectively. All nine large squares were counted on each side. The dilution for this kit was pre-measured at

  1:100.

  What should the technologist report as the white cell count?

  A.

  177.5 x 10^9/L

  B.

  17.5 x 10^9/L

  C.

  1.75 x 10^9/L

  D.

  175 x 10^9/L

  Correct Answer: B

• Question 9:

  This integrity of this specimen is compromised. The unit cannot be used.

  What action should be taken if a large clot is noticed in a red blood cell unit while the product is being prepared for release to the patient?

  A. Issue the product as you normally would but with a filter.

  B. Issue the product, but note the presence of the clot in the computer records.

  C. Filter the product prior to issue and record the process.

  D. Do not issue the product.

  Correct Answer: D

• Question 10:

  Report the isolate as coagulase negative Staphylococcus is the correct answer because this is an isolate from a urine specimen with a coagulase negative Staphylococcus susceptible to novobiocin. Staphylococcus saprophyticus is resistant to novobiocin. Further testing is required to speciate coagulase negative Staphylococci but only if the specimen is from a sterile body site, not urine. Gram positive cocci isolated from a catheterized urine culture on a 76-year-old male gave the following reactions: Blood agar- creamy, white, opaque colonies Catalase- positive Slide coagulase- negative Tube coagulase- negative Novobiocin- susceptible The next action the MLS should take is:

  A. Report the isolate as coagulase negative staphylococcus

  B. Report the isolate as Staphylococcus epidermidis

  C. Report the isolate as Staphylococcus saprophyticus

  D. Perform further testing to speciate the organism

  Correct Answer: A