Chapter 50: Clinical Laboratory Equipment

Which piece of laboratory equipment is used to evaluate stained blood smears?

Incubator

Otoscope

Centrifuge

Microscope

Microscope

What is the most commonly used magnification for a microscope?

(4x)

(10x)

(45x)

(40x)

(10x)

When should the emergency brake be used when operating a centrifuge?

When a glass tube breaks

When lubricating the mechanism

When placing the tubes in the holders

When disinfecting the centrifuge tube holders

When a glass tube breaks

A lab incubator keeps a constant temperature of what range?

59o F to 86o F (15o C to 30o C)

35o Fto 46o F (1.6o C to 7.7o C)

95° F to 98.6° F (35° C to 37° C)

121o C to 121.5o C (249o F to 250o F)

95° F to 98.6° F (35° C to 37° C)

What is the medical term used when the medical assistant (MA) performs an optic check of laboratory equipment that uses light for determining results?

Control

Calibration

Maintenance

Documentation

Calibration

Which actions are required when a piece of laboratory equipment has errors or problems identified?

Select all that apply

Take remedial action

Perform routine maintenance

Put a sign on the equipment so others do not use it

Report the problem and/or errors to the administrator

Document the problems and/or errors and remedial actions taken

Take remedial action

Put a sign on the equipment so others do not use it

Report the problem and/or errors to the administrator

Document the problems and/or errors and remedial actions taken

Which is a key responsibility of the medical assistant when maintaining laboratory equipment?

Ordering supplies

Following preventive maintenance schedules

Returning defective equipment to the manufacturer

Recording patient laboratory results to the manufacturer

Following preventive maintenance schedules

Which items should be included in the log for each piece of equipment in the clinical laboratory?

Cost

Purchase date

Procedures performed

Preventive maintenance

Preventive maintenance

Which actions should the medical assistant perform when using the microscope in the laboratory?

Select all that apply.

Dusting

Cleaning

Focusing

Lubricating

Illuminating

Focusing

Illuminating

The medical assistant (MA) is preparing to clean the lens of the microscope. Which supplies should the MA collect to perform this procedure?

Select all that apply

Tissue

Cleaner

Soft cloth

Solvent cleaners

Plastic dust cover

Tissue

Cleaner

Identify the correct order of the steps for using a microscope in the clinical laboratory.

1. Adjust the amount of light by closing the iris diaphragm.

2. Raise the stage carefully while observing with the naked eye from side to side.

3. Place the specimen on the stage and secure it.

4. Switch to the 40x lens and use the fine adjustment knob to focus the specimen in detail.

5. Turn the revolving nosepiece to engage the 4x or 10x lens.

6. Focus the specimen using the coarse adjustment knob.

3,5,2,6,1,4

The medical assistant (MA) is preparing to use the microscope in the clinical laboratory. Which is the first action by the MA?

Sanitizing hands

Cleaning the microscope lens

Gathering the needed materials

Adjusting the seat to a comfortable height

Sanitizing hands

The medical assistant (MA) is preparing the centrifuge in the clinical laboratory. Which is the most important rule the MA should implement in the preparation process?

Balance the tubes

Lubricate the machine

Check the break operation

Place a tube in each holder

Balance the tubes

A new medical assistant (MA) in the clinical laboratory is using the centrifuge. Which action by the MA would necessitate intervention due to a safety concern?

Cleaning and disinfecting the centrifuge

Opening the centrifuge during operation

Stopping the centrifuge using the emergency brake

Capping the tube before placing them in the centrifuge

Opening the centrifuge during operation

The medical assistant is placing glass tubes of equal size and volume in the centrifuge. Which number of tubes should the MA place in the centrifuge?

An odd number

An even number

One in every other holder

The same number as holders

An even number

The medical assistant (MA) is responsible for daily preventive maintenance of the equipment in the clinical laboratory. Which items should the MA keep on hand?

Select all that apply

Spare parts

Maintenance forms

Manufacturer's instructions

Cost of instrument replacement

Name, address, and phone number of contact persons for repair

Spare parts

Maintenance forms

Manufacturer's instructions

Name, address, and phone number of contact persons for repair

When implementing preventive maintenance for equipment in the clinical laboratory, which should the medical assistant (MA) review?

Maintenance log

Maintenance form

General office procedures

Manufacturers' instructions

Manufacturers' instructions

In addition to calibration, which daily action should the medical assistant (MA) implement?

Run control material

Replace the light source

Lubricate the equipment

Report calibration reading to supervisor

Run control material

The medical assistant (MA) works in a clinical laboratory that uses paper records. Which is the primary record of equipment that the MA should maintain?

A logbook or worksheet

A summary of patient tests done

An annual log of purchased equipment

A listing of available repairmen contact information

A logbook or worksheet

Which should the medical assistant (MA) document in the laboratory master logbook?

Patient results

Calibration results

Abnormal control results

Preventive maintenance results

Patient results

Which actions should the medical assistant (MA) implement on a regular basis to ensure proper operation of the centrifuge?

Select all that apply

Cleaning the centrifuge

Checking the centrifuge

Lubricating the centrifuge

Updating the centrifuge model

Evaluating the centrifuge speed

Cleaning the centrifuge

Checking the centrifuge

Lubricating the centrifuge

The medical assistant (MA) is responsible for normal upkeep of the incubator. Which actions should the MA implement?

Select all that apply

Check temperature daily

Protect with a plastic cover

Clean with a disinfectant regularly

Activate the temperature warning alarm

Empty it before placing a new patient specimen in it

Check temperature daily

Clean with a disinfectant regularly