AACC AACC Laboratory Management & Operations

Question 1

Which accreditation body oversees clinical laboratory quality and compliance in the United States under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)?

Accepted Answer

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Answer

The Joint Commission (TJC)

Answer

College of American Pathologists (CAP)

Answer

American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC)

Question 2

A laboratory director receives a critical value result. What is the FIRST action that must be taken?

Accepted Answer

Notify the ordering physician or responsible clinician immediately

Answer

File it in the patient's record

Answer

Repeat the test to confirm the value

Answer

Document the result in the laboratory information system

Question 3

What is the primary purpose of a laboratory's standard operating procedure (SOP)?

Accepted Answer

To provide step-by-step instructions ensuring consistent, reproducible test performance

Answer

To record billing codes for insurance

Answer

To list all laboratory personnel and their certifications

Answer

To document equipment purchase history

Question 4

Under CLIA regulations, how long must laboratories retain records for non-waived tests?

Accepted Answer

2 years

Answer

1 year

Answer

5 years

Answer

10 years

Question 5

Which staffing model assigns a single laboratory professional to perform multiple types of testing across different disciplines?

Accepted Answer

Cross-training model

Answer

Core laboratory model

Answer

Consolidated testing model

Answer

Point-of-care model

Question 6

What document outlines the expected performance characteristics of a laboratory test method before implementation?

Accepted Answer

Method validation report

Answer

Certificate of analysis

Answer

Lot-to-lot verification

Answer

Competency assessment