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Core Laboratory Procedures Questions and Answers Flashcards

6 cards from real MLPAO practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 6 Core Laboratory Procedures Questions and Answers flashcards as text

  1. What does the term 'sensitivity' mean when evaluating a laboratory diagnostic test?

    Answer: The ability of a test to correctly identify those with disease (true positive rate)

    Diagnostic sensitivity is the proportion of disease-positive individuals correctly identified by the test as positive — it is the true positive rate: Sensitivity = TP/(TP+FN).

  2. In the laboratory, what is the purpose of an internal quality control (IQC) sample?

    Answer: To monitor the analytical process and detect error before patient results are reported

    Internal quality control materials are run concurrently with patient samples to monitor the analytical process in real time, detecting errors before patient results are released.

  3. What is the principle behind the Kleihauer-Betke (KB) test performed in transfusion medicine?

    Answer: Quantification of fetal red blood cells in maternal circulation after fetomaternal hemorrhage

    The Kleihauer-Betke test detects and quantifies fetal RBCs in maternal blood. Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is acid-resistant; adult hemoglobin (HbA) elutes with acid treatment, leaving ghost cells. Fetal cells appear pink.

  4. Which of the following best describes the principle of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)?

    Answer: Detection and quantification of antigens or antibodies using enzyme-labeled probes and colorimetric detection

    ELISA uses antibodies linked to enzymes to detect specific antigens or antibodies. The enzyme converts a substrate to a coloured product, and absorbance is measured proportional to analyte concentration.

  5. A laboratory result for serum sodium is 128 mmol/L (normal 136-145 mmol/L). This value falls into which category of critical values (panic values)?

    Answer: A low critical (panic) value requiring immediate physician notification

    Serum sodium of 128 mmol/L is significantly below the normal range and typically falls within the critical low range (usually ≤125 mmol/L in many labs), requiring immediate notification of the ordering physician.

  6. What is the purpose of the indirect antiglobulin test (IAT), also known as the indirect Coombs test?

    Answer: Detection of unexpected antibodies in patient serum that may react with transfused red blood cells

    The IAT detects unexpected alloantibodies in patient plasma that are not bound to RBCs in vivo. Patient serum is incubated with reagent RBCs; AHG is then added and agglutination indicates antibody presence.