01
Choose one
1 point
Why should a specimen not be refrigerated automatically when it arrives at the laboratory?
Free Practice Quiz Question List
4 Specimen Storage and Stability Online Quiz Questions
Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 4 Specimen Storage and Stability, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.
20 questions
02
True or false
1 point
True or false: Specimen stability depends on more than the specimen alone; it can also depend on the analyte, container, temperature, and processing.
- A
True
- B
False
03
Fill in the blank
1 point
The period during which a specimen remains suitable for a test under specified conditions is its .
04
Written response
1 point
Which resource may list different stability limits for room-temperature, refrigerated, and frozen specimens?
05
Choose one
1 point
A laboratory is processing blood collected in different tube types. Which approach to centrifugation is appropriate?
- A
Use the same force and duration for all tubes to keep processing consistent.
- B
Choose conditions based only on whether the specimen is refrigerated.
- C
Follow the conditions specified for the tube, specimen, and procedure.
- D
Extend centrifugation whenever the specimen has been transported for a long time.
06
Choose all
1 point
Select all factors that can affect how long a specimen remains suitable for a test.
- A
The analyte being measured
- B
The specimen type
- C
The collection tube or preservative
- D
The temperature and whether processing has occurred
- E
The color of the transport packaging
07
True or false
1 point
True or false: A preservative that supports one test may interfere with another test.
- A
True
- B
False
08
Choose one
1 point
A blood sample arrives after a transport delay and is still in contact with cells, although the requested test requires separated plasma. What is the best next step?
- A
Refrigerate it immediately, since cooling reverses changes caused by delay.
- B
Reject it automatically, since any transport delay makes a specimen unsuitable.
- C
Document the condition and check the test-specific processing delay and stability criteria.
- D
Centrifuge it using standard conditions, then assume the plasma meets the test requirements.
09
Written response
1 point
When a test requires a frozen specimen, what handling practice should be avoided because it can damage some analytes?
10
Fill in the blank
1 point
After centrifugation, separate serum or plasma from when the test instructions require it.
11
Choose all
1 point
Select all appropriate practices for transporting specimens to a receiving laboratory.
- A
Use the approved, correctly labeled container.
- B
Use secure, leak-resistant packaging.
- C
Refrigerate every specimen regardless of test requirements.
- D
Maintain the temperature controls required by the receiving laboratory.
- E
Assume packaging alone protects every specimen from light.
12
Open ended
1 point
A specimen experiences a delay or temperature excursion before analysis. Explain how the laboratory should decide whether to use it for the requested test.
13
Choose one
1 point
A timed urine collection has been kept cool as required by its test instructions. What should be done before preparing an aliquot when the procedure calls for it?
- A
Prepare an aliquot from the collection without mixing it.
- B
Mix the collection before preparing an aliquot, if required by the test instructions.
- C
Freeze the collection automatically before preparing an aliquot.
- D
Add acid to every timed urine collection before mixing.
14
Choose one
1 point
A laboratory receives a specimen for a test whose storage requirements are not known. What is the best first step for determining its required storage condition?
- A
Use room temperature unless the specimen visibly changes.
- B
Check the current test directory and applicable specimen and laboratory instructions.
- C
Freeze every specimen that will not be analyzed immediately.
- D
Choose the storage condition based only on the specimen type.
15
True or false
1 point
True or false: Refrigerating a specimen is always beneficial because it slows changes in the specimen.
- A
True
- B
False
16
Choose one
1 point
A specimen fails the acceptance criteria for one requested test. What conclusion is justified about its use for a different test?
- A
It must be rejected for every test because specimen suitability is universal.
- B
It can be used for any test if it has been refrigerated.
- C
It may still be acceptable for another test, depending on that test's requirements.
- D
It is acceptable for every test if the container is correctly labeled.
17
Written response
1 point
What term names the period during which a specimen remains suitable for a test under specified conditions?
18
Choose one
1 point
A test's instructions identify its analyte as light-sensitive. How should the specimen be handled?
- A
Protect it from light when the test instructions require that precaution.
- B
Always keep it under bright light so changes are easy to observe.
- C
Use light protection only after freezing the specimen.
- D
Avoid light protection because it prevents correct labeling.
19
Choose one
1 point
A blood specimen is ready for processing, but its tube and test have specific handling instructions. Which approach is appropriate?
- A
Use one standard clotting and centrifugation procedure for all blood specimens.
- B
Skip centrifugation if the sample will eventually be refrigerated.
- C
Transfer the cell layer into the aliquot to preserve the original specimen.
- D
Follow the tube's instructions for clotting and centrifugation, then separate serum or plasma from cells when required.
20
Written response
1 point
A specimen has experienced a transport delay or temperature excursion. Before deciding whether it remains acceptable, what should staff do with this deviation?