ASCP ASCP-MLT - MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN - MLT(ASCP)

A laboratory scientist is working the night shift at a local hospital when the power goes out. What is the course of action to continue to provide laboratory results?

Gram positive organisms resist decolorization by ethyl alcohol. The large crystal violet-iodine complex is not able to penetrate the peptidoglycan layer, and is trapped within the cell in gram-positive organisms. Conversely, the outer membrane of gram-negative organisms is degraded and the thinner peptidoglycan layer of gram-negative cells is unable to retain the crystal violet-iodine complex and the color is lost.

What is the purpose of using ethyl alcohol or acetone in the gram stain procedure:

PCT usually rises within 3-6 hours of infection. CRP also increases rapidly following infection, but is not as specific for infection as PCT. A rise in CRP could also occur with SIRS. Lactic acid is usually used to detect and monitor impaired circulation and tissue oxygenation in critically ill patients.

Chemistry

Of the three laboratory tests that are listed, which has proven to be most effective for early differentiation of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) from sepsis due to its increase following infection and higher specificity?

HbsAg is positive in acute and chronic Hepatitis B infections, since the antigen is found on the actual surface of the virus. HbeAg is present in the blood when the hepatitis B viruses are replicating, indicating an active infection. Anti-Hbc IgM is present due to the immune response to the presence of the hepatitis core antigen and indicates an acute infection. Anti-HBs is generally interpreted as indicating recovery and immunity from hepatitis B virus infection, according to the CDC.

Given the following results, what is the immune status of the patient?

HbsAg: positive

HbeAg: positive

Anti-HBc IgM: positive

Anti-HBs: negative

Waived tests are those considered to have an insignificant risk of erroneous results. Which of the following is NOT an example of a waived test?

Antibodies in the Rh system typically exhibit which one of the following characteristics?

Medical ethics

Molarity x Molecular Weight x Volume = Grams

Molecular Weight (aka Formula Weight) =

2(1) + 32 + 4(16) = 98

So, 4 x 98 x 0.2L = 78.4g

What weight of H2SO4 is contained in 200 ml of a 4 molar H2SO4 solution? (Atomic weight: H= 1; S = 32; 0 = 16)

Measuring the turnaround times of troponin tests from the emergency department would provide valuable information. This data represents circumstances in which patient safety may be compromised if results are delayed and treatment is not started as soon as possible.

A laboratory manager wants to evaluate the timeliness of patient services in order to prevent medical errors caused by delay in treatment. Measuring the turnaround time for which of these analytes would provide the most valuable information?

There are many causes of CSF lymphocytosis. Lymphocytosis is seen in viral, fungal, and tuberculous infections, although a predominance of neutrophils may be present in the early stages of these infections. Lumbar puncture to obtain CSF samples is often contraindicated in those with a suspected brain abscess.

CSF lymphocytosis is associated with all of the following except:

The results of this PT and aPTT are in normal range. These results can be reported and are not indicative of the need to: order a mixing study or request a redraw.

You have just performed stat PT and aPTT tests on your coagulation instrument. Your results are as follows:

PT = 12 seconds (normal range 10-13 seconds)

aPTT = 24 seconds (normal range 21-34 seconds)

What would be your next step?

Laboratories performing which of the following types of tests need to be enrolled in a CLIA-approved proficiency testing program?

Hemoglobin F has a high affinity for oxygen. When Hb F is elevated, cells containing Hb S are more oxygenated and do not sickle as readily as they would if Hb F were not present or present in small quantities.

Which hemoglobin, when elevated, acts as a protection against sickling in patients with HbS?

Malbranchia species share the production of alternate staining arthroconidia as a common feature with the mold form of Coccidioides immitis.

Both Geotrichum species and Trichosporon species produce rectangular-shaped arthroconidia; however, they are regularly rather than alternately staining. Additionally, the arthroconidia of Geotrichum may produce germ tubes from one corner and the arthroconidia of Trichosporon species may produce blastoconidia from adjacent corners, features not shared by either Malbranchia species or Coccidioides immitis.

The hyphae of Microsporum canis, as seen in direct KOH mounts of skin scales, may break up into arthroconidia; however, they are much narrower in dimension and do not share the alternate staining characteristics.

Microbiology

The hyaline saprobic fungus that has microscopic features similar to the mold form of Coccidioides immitis is:

Unconjugated bilirubin is a byproduct of RBC breakdown, or hemolysis. It would be expected to see an increase in unconjugated bilirubin when hemolysis is occuring at an increased rate. The liver enzymes would not remain at normal levels if there were a viral infection of the liver, chemical damage to the liver, or obstruction of bile ducts.

Chemistry

A patient presents with an elevation of unconjugated bilirubin, normal serum alkaline phosphatase, normal liver enzymes, and no bilirubin in the urine. This combination would suggest: