Free Medical Laboratory Technician Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What morphological trait facilitates the differentiation of renal tubular epithelial cells from spherical forms of transitional epithelial cells?
- Size of the cell
- Shape of the cell
- Vacuoles
- Nucleus orientation (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Nucleus orientation
Renal tubular epithelial cells (RTEs) and spherical transitional epithelial cells can appear similar in urine. A key distinguishing feature is the nucleus orientation: RTEs typically have an eccentrically placed nucleus, meaning it is off-center. In contrast, spherical transitional epithelial cells usually exhibit a centrally located nucleus, which aids in their differentiation during microscopic examination.
Question 2: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) testing is most frequently used to identify pregnancies, but it can also be used as a diagnostic marker for which conditions?
- Prostate cancer
- Vaginal cancer
- Testicular cancer (Correct answer)
- Penile cancer
Correct answer: Testicular cancer
While primarily known for detecting pregnancy, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) also serves as a crucial tumor marker. Elevated levels of hCG can be produced by certain germ cell tumors, most notably testicular cancer. Monitoring hCG levels is essential for the diagnosis, staging, and assessment of treatment response in these malignancies.
Question 3: Which reaction is the basis for the methodologies employed for the quantitation of bilirubin in serum/plasma samples?
- Biuret
- Diazo (Correct answer)
- Rous
- Jaffe
Correct answer: Diazo
The diazo reaction is the fundamental chemical principle employed for the quantitative measurement of bilirubin in serum or plasma samples. In this reaction, bilirubin reacts with a diazonium salt to form azobilirubin, a colored compound. The intensity of this color is then measured spectrophotometrically, allowing for accurate determination of bilirubin concentration.
Question 4: Which of the following disorders is a symptom of hypernatremia?
- Vomiting
- Severe burns (Correct answer)
- Renal failure
- Potassium deficiency
Correct answer: Severe burns
Hypernatremia, an elevated sodium concentration in the blood, often results from conditions causing significant water loss in excess of sodium. Severe burns lead to extensive fluid loss through damaged skin, which is primarily water. This disproportionate loss of water concentrates the remaining sodium in the extracellular fluid, thereby causing hypernatremia.
Question 5: What corrective action may be necessary in order to issue a corrected laboratory report for an incorrectly reported culture ID and susceptibility?
- Filing a quality assurance incident report (Correct answer)
- Filing a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) report
- Filing an FDA medical device report
- Notifying the patient
Correct answer: Filing a quality assurance incident report
When an incorrect laboratory report, such as a culture ID and susceptibility, is issued, the primary corrective action is to file a quality assurance (QA) incident report. This formal process investigates the error, determines its root cause, and implements measures to prevent recurrence. It also ensures proper documentation and communication for issuing a corrected report to the clinician.
Question 6: What two hormones are necessary to preserve calcium homeostasis?
- PTH and vitamin D (Correct answer)
- PTH and dehydroepiandrosterone
- Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
- TSH and vasopressin
Correct answer: PTH and vitamin D
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and active vitamin D (calcitriol) are the two primary hormones essential for maintaining calcium homeostasis in the body. PTH increases blood calcium by promoting bone resorption, renal calcium reabsorption, and vitamin D activation. Vitamin D, in turn, enhances intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphate, working synergistically with PTH to regulate calcium levels.
Question 7: What autoimmune disease has elevated titers of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies?
- CREST syndrome
- SLE (Correct answer)
- Polymyositis
- Scleroderma
Correct answer: SLE
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the production of various autoantibodies. Elevated titers of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies are highly specific for SLE and are considered a diagnostic criterion. These antibodies play a pathogenic role in the disease, contributing to kidney damage (lupus nephritis) and other organ manifestations.
