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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Lab Technician Quiz: Pre-Employment Skills Check

Quick, 15-question medical laboratory technician quiz with instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Kirsten RhodeUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art showcasing a quiz on Medical Laboratory Technician Pre-employment Assessment

This lab technician quiz helps you check pre-employment skills in chemistry, hematology, and basic instrumentation. Work through 15 multiple-choice questions, see instant feedback, and spot topics to review before interviews. For targeted practice, try the lab safety quiz, the lab equipment quiz, or refresh with a clinical microbiology quiz.

Which information is essential on a blood sample label to ensure proper identification?
Patient's name only
Patient's name, unique ID, date and time of collection
Only unique ID and specimen type
Patient's name and date of collection
Correct labeling must include the patient's name, unique identifier, and the date and time the specimen was collected to avoid misidentification. This ensures traceability and compliance with sample handling protocols.
What is the recommended anticoagulant for coagulation studies?
EDTA
Heparin
Potassium oxalate
Sodium citrate
Sodium citrate is the anticoagulant of choice for coagulation tests because it binds calcium reversibly and preserves clotting factors. EDTA and heparin interfere with different assay chemistries.
At what relative centrifugal force (RCF) and duration is serum typically separated?
5000 x g for 5 minutes
3000 x g for 10 minutes
1500 x g for 2 minutes
1000 x g for 20 minutes
A standard protocol for serum separation is centrifuging at around 3000 Ã- g for 10 minutes, which efficiently separates cells from serum without hemolysis. Higher g-forces or shorter times risk inadequate separation or cell rupture.
Which term describes red blood cell destruction leading to pink plasma?
Hemolysis
Icterus
Turbidity
Lipemia
Hemolysis refers to the rupture of red blood cells, releasing hemoglobin into plasma and imparting a pink or red tint. Lipemia and icterus cause turbidity or yellow coloration, respectively.
What is the primary purpose of using quality control material in clinical labs?
To clean laboratory equipment
To store patient samples
To validate patient identity
To monitor test accuracy and precision
Quality control materials are run alongside patient samples to detect errors and ensure that assays are both accurate (close to true value) and precise (reproducible). This is essential for reliable laboratory results.
Which statement correctly distinguishes accuracy from precision?
Accuracy is reproducibility; precision is closeness to the true value
Accuracy and precision have the same meaning in clinical chemistry
Accuracy relates to speed; precision relates to cost
Accuracy is closeness to the true value; precision is reproducibility
Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true or accepted value, while precision refers to the consistency of repeated measurements. Both are critical for reliable test results.
Which quality control chart displays results over time against predefined control limits?
Histogram
Levey-Jennings chart
Bland-Altman plot
Scatter plot
A Levey-Jennings chart plots control measurements over time against mean and standard deviation limits, allowing detection of trends or shifts in assay performance. Other plots are used for different analytical purposes.
In enzymatic assays measuring ALT activity, which cofactor's change in absorbance is typically monitored?
NADH
FAD
ATP
Coenzyme A
ALT assays commonly use NADH as a cofactor; the decrease in NADH absorbance at 340 nm correlates with enzyme activity. Monitoring this change allows quantification of ALT levels.
What is the correct order of steps in the Gram staining procedure?
Safranin â†' Crystal violet â†' Iodine â†' Decolorizer
Crystal violet â†' Iodine â†' Decolorizer â†' Safranin
Iodine â†' Crystal violet â†' Safranin â†' Decolorizer
Decolorizer â†' Safranin â†' Crystal violet â†' Iodine
The Gram stain sequence is crystal violet (primary stain), iodine (mordant), decolorizer (alcohol or acetone), then safranin (counterstain). This differential stain distinguishes Gram-positive from Gram-negative bacteria.
How often should a pH meter typically be calibrated in a clinical lab?
Weekly
Only when readings seem off
Daily before use
Monthly
pH meters in clinical labs are commonly calibrated daily using at least two standard buffers to ensure accurate measurements. Calibrating only when discrepancies appear risks systematic errors.
Which hematology parameter reflects the average volume of red blood cells?
Hematocrit
MCV
MCHC
RDW
MCV (mean corpuscular volume) indicates the average volume of individual red blood cells and is used to classify anemias as microcytic, normocytic, or macrocytic. MCHC and RDW measure other indices.
For selective culture of Gram-negative enteric bacteria, which medium is most appropriate?
MacConkey agar
Sabouraud agar
Blood agar
Chocolate agar
MacConkey agar contains bile salts and crystal violet that inhibit Gram-positive organisms while supporting Gram-negative enterics. It also differentiates lactose fermenters by color change.
What is the purpose of external proficiency testing in a clinical laboratory?
To compare laboratory performance against peer laboratories
To train new staff on standard protocols
To calibrate instruments with higher accuracy
To monitor day-to-day precision within a single lab
External proficiency testing involves analyzing blind samples sent by an external agency and comparing results with peer laboratories. It ensures inter-laboratory consistency and identifies systematic biases.
When calibrating a 100 µL pipette, which verification method is most accurate?
Turbidimetric measurement
Gravimetric method
Visual volume check
Colorimetric assay
The gravimetric method measures the weight of water dispensed and converts it to volume, providing precise verification of pipette accuracy across its range. Visual checks are subjective and less reliable.
What does TAT (turnaround time) measure in laboratory operations?
Time to reorder reagents
Time from sample receipt to report release
Time to train new personnel
Time to perform equipment maintenance
Turnaround time (TAT) is the interval between when a specimen is received in the laboratory and when the result report is released to clinicians. It is a key metric for laboratory efficiency.
In validation of a new spectrophotometric assay, linearity testing primarily assesses which characteristic?
Limit of detection
Direct proportionality between absorbance and analyte concentration
Reproducibility at low concentrations
Stability of reagents over time
Linearity testing evaluates whether the measured absorbance is directly proportional to the analyte concentration across the assay's range. This ensures accurate quantitation in clinical samples.
Which Westgard rule indicates rejection when a single control measurement exceeds 3 standard deviations from the mean?
1_3s
1_2s
2_2s
R_4s
The 1_3s rule flags a run as unacceptable if any single control observation exceeds ±3 standard deviations, indicating a significant systematic or random error. Other rules address different error patterns.
Why is optimization of annealing temperature critical in PCR assays?
It prevents primer-dimer formation and promotes specific primer-template binding
It deactivates contaminating nucleases
It determines the final amplicon length
It ensures polymerase activity at maximum speed
Annealing temperature must be optimized to ensure that primers bind specifically to their target sequences and to minimize non-specific binding or primer-dimer formation. This improves PCR efficiency and specificity.
What is the primary difference between internal quality control and external proficiency testing?
They are interchangeable terms for the same process
Internal QC uses blind samples; proficiency testing uses known control materials
Internal QC compares results to peer labs; proficiency testing monitors within a single lab
Internal QC monitors day-to-day precision within a lab; proficiency testing evaluates performance against external benchmarks
Internal QC involves routine checks of control materials within the lab to monitor assay precision and accuracy daily. External proficiency testing sends blind samples from external agencies to compare performance across multiple laboratories.
Which certified reference material is commonly used to calibrate the wavelength accuracy of clinical spectrophotometers?
Sulfanilamide standard
Potassium dichromate solution
Holmium oxide filter
Seronorm serum
Holmium oxide filters contain sharp, known absorption peaks across UV and visible wavelengths and are used to verify and calibrate the wavelength scale of spectrophotometers. Other materials serve different calibration purposes.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyse proper sample handling and processing protocols.
  2. Identify key clinical chemistry and hematology procedures.
  3. Apply quality control measures to lab test results.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of microbiology assay techniques.
  5. Evaluate equipment calibration and maintenance practices.
  6. Master laboratory terminology for pre-employment success.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Proper Sample Handling - Avoid the "oops!" moment by following step-by-step guides for collection, labeling, and transport. Keeping specimens contamination-free is crucial for crystal-clear results.
  2. Clinical Chemistry Techniques - Dive into spectrophotometry and electrophoresis to see how molecules dance under light and electric fields. Mastering these methods boosts your accuracy when measuring enzymes, hormones, and metabolites.
  3. Hematology Essentials - Get hands-on with complete blood counts and blood smears to spot anomalies in red cells, white cells, and platelets. These skills are your detective kit for diagnosing anemia, infections, and clotting issues.
  4. Quality Control Measures - Turn calibration and proficiency tests into your lab's best friends to guarantee trustworthy results. Regular check-ups on your instruments keep surprises at bay and confidence sky-high.
  5. Microbiology Assay Skills - From culturing bacteria on petri dishes to amplifying DNA with PCR, these techniques unveil the tiny world of microbes. Nailing these assays is key for diagnosing infections with speed and precision.
  6. Equipment Calibration Checks - No more "Is this right?" moments - schedule routine calibrations and log every tweak. Well-maintained instruments mean your measurements stay spot on.
  7. Sticking to SOPs - Standard Operating Procedures are your safety net to prevent slip-ups and keep consistency across tests. Following SOPs turns chaos into a smooth, reliable workflow.
  8. Continuous Lab Training - The lab world evolves fast - attend workshops, webinars, and hands-on sessions to stay ahead. Fresh skills and tricks keep your work sharp and exciting.
  9. Documenting for Success - Detailed records of every calibration, test run, and review session are your lab's storybook. Good documentation helps you troubleshoot, comply with standards, and celebrate wins.
  10. Lab Lingo Mastery - Speak the language of cells, assays, and reagents to collaborate effortlessly and decode research articles. A rich vocabulary boosts your confidence and credibility in the lab.
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