Free Practice Quiz Question List

6 Specimen Handling and Processing Online Quiz Questions

Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 6 Specimen Handling and Processing, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.

20 questions

True or false

1 point

A specimen is being placed in a secondary transport container. True or false: the requisition should be placed in the same compartment as the specimen tubes.

A
True
B
False

Written response

1 point

A laboratory worker is explaining why centrifugation separates blood components. What physical property is the separation based on?

Fill in the blank

1 point

For transport, place blood tubes in a secure, secondary container that can contain a spill.

Choose one

1 point

A staff member is unsure whether a newly collected specimen should be chilled. What is the best next step?

A
Chill every specimen until it reaches the laboratory.
B
Check the test directory or laboratory instructions for the applicable requirements.
C
Keep every specimen at room temperature unless it is visibly damaged.
D
Freeze specimens whenever transport will take more than a short time.

True or false

1 point

True or false: a blood specimen may be sent through a pneumatic-tube system whenever that is the fastest transport method.

A
True
B
False

Written response

1 point

Before centrifuging a serum tube, what must the specimen be allowed to do as directed?

Fill in the blank

1 point

Before centrifugation, a serum tube must be allowed to as directed.

Choose one

1 point

A primary tube's label does not clearly match its requisition, and the identity cannot be confirmed at once. What should staff do?

A
Use the most likely identity and correct the label after processing.
B
Resolve the discrepancy according to laboratory procedure before processing.
C
Process the specimen but omit the uncertain identifier from the result.
D
Ask a coworker to choose the identity based on the requisition.

Choose all

1 point

A worker is preparing blood specimens for transport. Which practices are appropriate? Select all that apply.

A
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
B
Handle the tubes gently and keep them closed except when processing requires opening.
C
Use a secure, leak-resistant secondary container that can contain a spill.
D
Keep paperwork separate from the specimen compartment.
E
Open each tube during transport to equalize pressure.
F
Chill every specimen regardless of its test requirements.

Choose all

1 point

A worker is setting up a centrifugation run. Which actions follow the stated procedure? Select all that apply.

A
Use the specified relative centrifugal force (RCF).
B
Substitute a familiar RPM value because RPM represents the same force on every centrifuge.
C
Use the specified centrifuge, tube, time, and temperature.
D
Balance opposing tubes according to laboratory procedure.
E
Extend centrifugation time whenever the sample appears incompletely separated.

Written response

1 point

A correctly centrifuged anticoagulated blood specimen has separated into layers. What is the name of its upper layer?

Choose one

1 point

A procedure specifies an RCF for a sample. A worker proposes using a familiar RPM setting from a different centrifuge instead. Which response is correct?

A
Use the same RPM value on any centrifuge because it applies the same force.
B
Use the specified RCF rather than substituting an RPM setting.
C
Increase RPM until the sample looks clear, regardless of the procedure.
D
Choose a setting based only on the size of the tube.

Open ended

1 point

During a centrifugation run, a worker suspects that a tube has broken. What should the worker do next?

Written response

1 point

A measured portion of an original specimen is transferred into a separate, identified container. What is this portion called?

Choose one

1 point

A staff member labels a blood collection tube only on its cap. What should they do to ensure the specimen remains identified?

A
Label only the cap, so the tube can be reused if needed.
B
Label the tube itself according to facility policy.
C
Leave the tube unlabeled until it reaches the laboratory.
D
Label the transport container instead of the tube.

Choose one

1 point

When placing tubes in a secondary transport container, how should the accompanying requisition be handled?

A
Place the requisition inside the specimen compartment beside the tubes.
B
Put the requisition inside a tube’s secondary container.
C
Keep paperwork separate from the specimen compartment.
D
Attach paperwork directly to the outside of each tube.

Choose one

1 point

A securely capped blood tube appears normal. What approach should staff take when handling it?

A
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment because all blood specimens are treated as potentially infectious.
B
Use protective equipment only if the tube is visibly leaking.
C
Open the tube briefly before transport to check its contents.
D
Handle the tube without protective equipment if its cap is secure.

Choose one

1 point

A laboratory worker is unsure whether a specimen should be chilled, frozen, or kept at room temperature. What is the best next step?

A
Chill every specimen unless it is already frozen.
B
Keep every specimen at room temperature to avoid damage.
C
Freeze all specimens that cannot be tested immediately.
D
Check the test-specific instructions for the required temperature conditions.

Choose one

1 point

A serum tube has been collected and is ready for processing. Which step should occur before centrifugation?

A
Centrifuge the tube immediately to start clot formation.
B
Allow the tube to clot as directed before centrifuging it.
C
Mix the tube as instructed for anticoagulated specimens.
D
Transfer the red cells into an aliquot before centrifugation.

True or false

1 point

True or false: If a specimen has not separated as quickly as expected, it is acceptable to extend centrifugation time without checking whether the procedure permits it.

A
True
B
False