ASCP Quality & Professional Issues 1 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which department would perform a hemogram?

chemistry
hematology (Correct answer)
immunology
immunohematology

Correct answer: hematology

A hemogram, also known as a Complete Blood Count (CBC), is a comprehensive blood test that analyzes various components of blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This test is performed in the hematology department, which specializes in the study of blood and blood-forming organs, and the diagnosis of blood disorders.

Question 2: The main goals of managed care are all of the following, with the exception of:

provide quality care
increase per-patient revenue (Correct answer)
contain costs
manage patient care

Correct answer: increase per-patient revenue

Managed care systems aim to provide quality healthcare efficiently while containing costs and managing patient care effectively. Their primary goals include promoting preventive care, coordinating services, and controlling expenditures. Increasing per-patient revenue is typically a financial goal of individual providers or facilities, not a core objective of the managed care model itself, which focuses on overall cost-effectiveness and population health.

Question 3: Which of the following groups offers proficiency testing and volunteer laboratory inspections?

CAP (Correct answer)
NAACLS
OSHA
JCAHO

Correct answer: CAP

The College of American Pathologists (CAP) is a leading organization that provides laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing programs. CAP accreditation ensures that laboratories meet rigorous quality and safety standards, while proficiency testing evaluates the accuracy and reliability of laboratory results by comparing them to peer data.

Question 4: Why are obsolete evacuated tubes not allowed to be used in quality control procedures?

specimens collected may yield incorrect results
the tubes may not fill completely
additives that prevent clotting may no longer work
all of these are true (Correct answer)

Correct answer: all of these are true

Obsolete or expired evacuated tubes should never be used for specimen collection, even for quality control. Over time, the vacuum can degrade, preventing proper fill volume, and additives (like anticoagulants or gels) can lose their efficacy. This can lead to incorrect blood-to-additive ratios, incomplete clotting or preservation, and ultimately inaccurate test results, compromising patient care.

Question 5: If you are five feet away from someone, what distance are you within the Zone of Comfort?

Social Distance (Correct answer)
Intimate Distance
Personal Distance
Public Distance

Correct answer: Social Distance

The Zone of Comfort, or proxemics, defines different personal space distances. Social distance typically ranges from 4 to 12 feet and is used for impersonal business and social gatherings. Being five feet away from someone falls squarely within this range, indicating a formal or professional interaction rather than an intimate or personal one.

Question 6: Which department looks for crystals, germs, and blood cells in specimens under a microscope?

urinalysis (Correct answer)
hematology
chemistry
microbiology

Correct answer: urinalysis

The urinalysis department is responsible for the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine specimens. This includes looking for the presence of crystals, bacteria, red blood cells, white blood cells, and other cellular elements under a microscope to diagnose conditions affecting the kidneys, urinary tract, and other metabolic disorders.

Question 7: Of the following, which isn't regarded as a phlebotomy competency?

selecting a proper site for specimen collection
operating a hematology blood analyzer (Correct answer)
following safety protocols
using correct medical terminology

Correct answer: operating a hematology blood analyzer

Operating a hematology blood analyzer is not a phlebotomy competency because phlebotomists are primarily responsible for collecting and processing blood specimens, not performing complex laboratory analysis. The operation of such analyzers falls under the scope of medical laboratory scientists or technicians. Phlebotomy skills focus on patient interaction, venipuncture techniques, specimen handling, and safety protocols.

Question 8: Which division would conduct a glucose test?

chemistry (Correct answer)
physical therapy
hematology
microbiology

Correct answer: chemistry

The chemistry division of a laboratory is responsible for analyzing various chemical components in blood, including glucose. Glucose testing measures blood sugar levels, which is a fundamental chemical analysis. Hematology focuses on blood cell counts and morphology, while microbiology identifies microorganisms.

Question 9: The main goals of managed care are all of the following, with the exception of:

manage patient care
increase per-patient revenue (Correct answer)
provide quality care
contain costs

Correct answer: increase per-patient revenue

Managed care aims to provide quality healthcare efficiently while containing costs and managing patient care. Increasing per-patient revenue is typically a financial goal for healthcare providers, not a primary objective of managed care systems themselves. Managed care focuses on cost-effectiveness and preventative care to reduce overall healthcare expenditures.

Question 10: Which division carries out C & S testing?

microbiology (Correct answer)
hematology
chemistry
immunology

Correct answer: microbiology

C & S stands for Culture and Sensitivity testing, which involves identifying pathogenic microorganisms in a specimen and determining their susceptibility to antibiotics. This specialized testing is exclusively carried out by the microbiology division of a laboratory. This department focuses on the detection, identification, and characterization of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

Question 11: Which hospital department offers mobility therapy to patients?

respiratory therapy
physical therapy (Correct answer)
kinesthetics
personal training

Correct answer: physical therapy

Physical therapy is the hospital department dedicated to helping patients improve or restore their physical function, mobility, and strength. Therapists in this department use various exercises and techniques to aid recovery from injury, illness, or surgery. Respiratory therapy, in contrast, focuses on lung function and breathing.

ASCP Quality & Professional Issues 1

Which department would perform a hemogram?