Medical Laboratory Technician Exam FREE ASCP Medical Laboratory Technician Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient's blood sample shows microcytic, hypochromic red blood cells with an elevated red cell distribution width (RDW). Which condition is most consistent with these findings?
- Iron deficiency anemia (Correct answer)
- Thalassemia trait
- Anemia of chronic disease
- Sideroblastic anemia
Correct answer: Iron deficiency anemia
Iron deficiency anemia classically presents with microcytic, hypochromic cells and an elevated RDW due to progressive iron depletion causing variable cell sizes.
Question 2: Which anticoagulant is preferred for routine coagulation studies such as PT and aPTT?
- EDTA
- Sodium citrate (Correct answer)
- Heparin
- Sodium fluoride
Correct answer: Sodium citrate
Sodium citrate (3.2%) is the standard anticoagulant for coagulation testing because it reversibly binds calcium and preserves coagulation factor activity.
Question 3: A Gram stain of a sputum specimen reveals gram-positive cocci in pairs surrounded by a clear zone. Which organism is most likely?
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Streptococcus pneumoniae (Correct answer)
- Enterococcus faecalis
- Streptococcus pyogenes
Correct answer: Streptococcus pneumoniae
Gram-positive diplococci with a capsular clear zone (quellung reaction appearance) on Gram stain is characteristic of Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Question 4: In quality control, what does a Westgard 2-2s rule violation indicate?
- Random error requiring repeat testing
- Systematic error or shift in the analytical process (Correct answer)
- A single outlier that can be ignored
- Instrument malfunction requiring immediate shutdown
Correct answer: Systematic error or shift in the analytical process
The 2-2s rule flags systematic error when two consecutive controls exceed 2 standard deviations in the same direction, indicating a shift or trend.
Question 5: Which immunoglobulin class is the first to be produced during a primary immune response?
- IgG
- IgA
- IgM (Correct answer)
- IgE
Correct answer: IgM
IgM is the first antibody produced during a primary immune response and is the largest immunoglobulin, existing as a pentamer in serum.
Question 6: A urine specimen tested with a reagent strip shows a positive nitrite result but negative leukocyte esterase. What is the most appropriate interpretation?
- The result is invalid and testing should be repeated
- Bacteriuria may be present, likely from gram-negative organisms (Correct answer)
- The patient has a viral urinary tract infection
- Contamination has occurred and the specimen should be recollected
Correct answer: Bacteriuria may be present, likely from gram-negative organisms
A positive nitrite indicates bacteria capable of reducing nitrate to nitrite, which are typically gram-negative organisms, even when leukocyte esterase is negative.
Medical Laboratory Technician Exam FREE ASCP Medical Laboratory Technician Questions and Answers 2
A patient's blood sample shows microcytic, hypochromic red blood cells with an elevated red cell distribution width (RDW).
Which condition is most consistent with these findings?