Quality Control and Troubleshooting in Phlebotomy: Master Specimen Handling and Processing

Question 1

Determine the appropriate storage temperature for serum samples:

Accepted Answer

2-8°C (Refrigerated)

Answer

Room temperature

Answer

-20°C (Frozen)

Answer

20-30°C

Question 2

Determine the recommended order of draw for blood collection tubes containing anticoagulants:

Accepted Answer

EDTA, Citrate, Heparin

Answer

Citrate, EDTA, Heparin

Answer

Heparin, Citrate, EDTA

Answer

Citrate, Heparin, EDTA

Question 3

Which of the following is the most common cause of hemolysis in a blood specimen?

Accepted Answer

Excessive agitation during collection

Answer

Using an incorrect needle size

Answer

Improper storage conditions

Answer

Delayed centrifugation

Question 4

What should you do if you notice a blood specimen is visibly contaminated with blood from another source?

Accepted Answer

Discard the sample and collect a new one

Answer

Dilute the sample with sterile saline and continue processing

Answer

Centrifuge the sample and remove the supernatant

Answer

Label the sample appropriately and process it with caution

Question 5

What is the initial step in troubleshooting a problem with a blood collection tube?

Accepted Answer

Inspect the tube for damage

Answer

Confirm the integrity of the vacuum

Answer

Check the expiration date

Answer

Contact the manufacturer

Question 6

What is the recommended waiting time after applying a tourniquet before drawing blood?

Accepted Answer

1 minute

Answer

30 seconds

Answer

2 minutes

Answer

5 minutes

Question 7

Which anticoagulant is used for coagulation tests?

Accepted Answer

Sodium citrate

Answer

Potassium oxalate

Answer

EDTA

Answer

Heparin

Question 8

Which of the following actions should be taken if a patient experiences vasovagal syncope during a blood draw?

Accepted Answer

Administer oxygen and elevate the patient's legs

Answer

Immediately terminate the procedure and lower the patient to the ground

Answer

Leave the patient unattended until consciousness is regained

Answer

Call for emergency medical assistance

Question 9

What is the main purpose of using a tourniquet during venipuncture?

Accepted Answer

To increase venous pressure and enhance vein visibility

Answer

To prevent excessive blood flow into the syringe

Answer

To reduce the risk of hemolysis

Answer

To minimize patient discomfort

Question 10

Which of the following is a recommended practice to maintain the integrity of specimens during transport?

Accepted Answer

Clearly labeling the specimen container

Answer

Centrifuging the specimen prior to sending it to the laboratory

Answer

Storing the specimen at room temperature

Answer

Incorporating anticoagulants into the specimen

Question 11

What is the primary role of anticoagulants in blood collection tubes?

Accepted Answer

To prevent clotting and preserve cell integrity

Answer

To enhance the visibility of blood components

Answer

To neutralize pathogens in the specimen

Answer

To minimize the risk of contamination

Question 12

What should you do if you suspect that a specimen has been mishandled during collection or processing?

Accepted Answer

Reject the specimen and request a new one.

Answer

Dilute the specimen to correct for any potential errors.

Answer

Accept the specimen but document the mishandling.

Answer

Freeze the specimen to preserve it for later analysis.

Question 13

Which of the following is a sign that a specimen may have clotted?

Accepted Answer

Presence of fibrin strands or gelatinous material

Answer

Slightly viscous

Answer

Clear and free-flowing

Question 14

What is the recommended temperature range for storing blood specimens?

Accepted Answer

1-4 degrees Celsius

Answer

25-30 degrees Celsius

Answer

18-25 degrees Celsius

Answer

10-15 degrees Celsius

Question 15

What is the purpose of a quality control plan in a laboratory setting?

Accepted Answer

To ensure the accuracy and reliability of laboratory results

Answer

To meet regulatory requirements only

Answer

To reduce costs

Question 16

Which of the following is a type of internal quality control measure?

Accepted Answer

Control specimens

Answer

External audits

Answer

Proficiency testing

Answer

Customer feedback

Question 17

What should you do if a quality control result falls outside of the acceptable range?

Accepted Answer

Investigate the source of the error and take corrective action

Answer

Report the error to the supervisor and wait for instructions

Answer

Ignore the result and assume it was an outlier

Question 18

What is the primary goal of troubleshooting in a laboratory setting?

Accepted Answer

To identify and resolve problems that affect the accuracy and reliability of laboratory results

Answer

To assign blame to individuals responsible for errors

Answer

To prevent problems from occurring in the future

Question 19

Which of the following measures is NOT part of quality control in phlebotomy?

Accepted Answer

Skipping training on equipment

Answer

Implementing corrective actions for errors

Answer

Regularly maintaining equipment

Answer

Following proper specimen collection procedures

Question 20

What is the primary step in ensuring accurate laboratory results?

Accepted Answer

Proper patient identification

Answer

Transporting specimens promptly

Answer

Documenting the phlebotomy procedure

Answer

Using the correct collection tube

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT a consequence of an erroneous laboratory result?

Accepted Answer

Optimal patient care

Answer

Inappropriate treatment

Answer

Patient harm

Answer

Misdiagnosis

Question 22

Which of the following is a preventive measure to minimize specimen hemolysis?

Accepted Answer

Using a gentle and steady vacuum

Answer

Transporting the specimen in a horizontal position

Answer

Inverting the specimen tube forcefully

Answer

Storing the specimen at room temperature

Question 23

What is the recommended action when a specimen is visibly contaminated?

Accepted Answer

Rejecting the specimen and collecting a new one

Answer

Accepting the specimen

Answer

Labeling the specimen as contaminated

Question 24

What is the ultimate goal of quality control and troubleshooting in phlebotomy?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and reliability of laboratory results

Answer

Expediting the testing process

Answer

Minimizing patient pain