Medical Laboratory Trivia Quiz Questions

It is critical to monitor the temperature of laboratory refrigerators to maintain the integrity of the products stored. Fluctuations in temperature can affect the stability and effectiveness of certain products, such as vaccines or sensitive chemicals. Monitoring the temperature ensures that the products are stored at the appropriate conditions, preventing any potential damage or degradation.

The primary purpose of a centrifuge is to separate the serum or plasma from the cellular portion of the blood. This is achieved by spinning the blood at high speeds, causing the heavier cellular components to settle at the bottom while the lighter serum or plasma rises to the top. This separation is important in various medical and laboratory procedures where the analysis or isolation of specific blood components is required.

When using a centrifuge, specimens must be spun with a cap on. This is because the cap helps to secure the specimens and prevent any leakage or contamination during the spinning process. Without a cap, there is a risk of the specimens spilling or mixing with other substances in the centrifuge, which could compromise the accuracy and integrity of the results. Therefore, it is essential to always use a cap when spinning specimens in a centrifuge.

Water bath temperatures in the Blood Banking-Transfusion Services must be set at 37 degrees C when used for ongoing daily work. This temperature is specifically chosen because it closely mimics the normal body temperature of humans, which is around 37 degrees C. By setting the water bath at this temperature, it ensures that blood products and samples are kept at an optimal temperature for storage and processing, minimizing the risk of any adverse effects or degradation of the products.

The temperature of a water bath should be checked once a day to ensure it remains within the desired range. Additionally, the temperature should also be checked each time the water bath is used to ensure it is at the correct temperature before starting any experiment or process. Regular monitoring is necessary to maintain the accuracy and consistency of the water bath's temperature, especially when it is frequently used.

The proper way to clean a centrifuge is by wearing gloves and spraying disinfectant onto the surface, allowing it to soak. Then, using a damp cloth, wipe the interior to remove blood and pulverized glass. Finally, the bung must be replaced. This process ensures that the centrifuge is properly cleaned and ready for further use.

When urine produces a large amount of white foam when mixed, it is indicative of increased protein levels in the urine. Normally, urine should not contain significant amounts of protein. However, when there is damage or dysfunction in the kidneys, proteins may leak into the urine, resulting in foamy urine. This can be a sign of various kidney conditions such as glomerulonephritis, kidney infection, or kidney damage. Therefore, increased protein levels in the urine should be suspected when white foam is observed during urine mixing.

All of the above is the correct answer because the question asks for the types of centrifuges, and all the options listed are indeed types of centrifuges. The horizontal rotor, fixed angle, and ultra-centrifuges are all different types of centrifuges that are commonly used in various scientific and industrial applications.

This set of instructions provides the proper way to clean water baths. The first step is to unplug the unit and empty it. Then, the interior surface should be wiped down using a damp cloth and mild disinfectant solution. Finally, the water bath should be refilled with purified water to the appropriate level needed. Therefore, the correct answer is "water baths."

Micro-collection tubes are small tubes used to collect and store small amounts of samples, such as blood or other bodily fluids. These tubes are designed to fit inside larger test tubes, which can then be placed in a centrifuge for spinning. The centrifuge applies centrifugal force to separate the components of the sample based on their density. Therefore, the statement that micro-collection tubes can be spun in centrifuges if they are placed inside an empty test tube is true.

A cloudy amber urine does not indicate the possible presence of blood or hemoglobin because the color of the urine is not red or brown, which are typically associated with blood or hemoglobin. The cloudiness of the urine may be due to other factors such as the presence of mucus, sediment, or bacteria. Therefore, a cloudy amber urine is less likely to suggest the presence of blood or hemoglobin compared to the other options given.

Anisocytosis: variation in RBC size; Poikilocytosis: variation in RBC shape

Centrifuges are used to separate components of a mixture based on their density by applying centrifugal force. The range of average g force mentioned, 1000g-3000g, indicates the force applied to the blood specimens during spinning. This range is suitable for most routine laboratory procedures involving blood samples, as it provides sufficient force to separate the components without causing damage to the cells or other elements present in the specimen.

A bung refers to the plastic or rubber mat on the bottom of each cup in the centrifuge. This mat helps to secure the contents of the cup during the centrifugation process, preventing them from spilling or mixing with other samples. The bung also provides stability to the cups, ensuring that they remain in place and do not move or tip over during the centrifugation.

Fixed Angles achieve higher RCFs than Horizontal

An acceptable time for a centrifuge to spin blood specimens is 10-15 minutes. This is because centrifuging for too short a time may not separate the blood components properly, while centrifuging for too long may cause damage to the blood cells. Therefore, a time range of 10-15 minutes is considered optimal for efficient and safe separation of blood specimens.

Medical Laboratory Scientists often deal with various electrical equipment that is essential for laboratory procedures and testing. Here's an explanation of the listed equipment:

Fridges/Freezers: Used for storing reagents, samples, and certain laboratory supplies at specific temperatures to maintain their stability.

 

Centrifuges: Utilized to separate components in a sample based on their density, such as separating blood components.

 

Incubators: Provide controlled conditions (temperature, humidity, and often CO2 levels) for the growth of microbiological cultures or for biochemical reactions.

 

Water baths: Used for incubating samples at a specific temperature, typically for reactions or maintaining a constant temperature for incubation.

These electrical equipment items are crucial for various laboratory processes, ensuring accuracy and reliability in scientific analyses.

The types of air incubators are normal (aerobic) incubator, anaerobic chamber, and CO2 incubator. A normal (aerobic) incubator provides a controlled environment with oxygen for the growth of aerobic organisms. An anaerobic chamber creates an oxygen-free environment for the growth of anaerobic organisms. A CO2 incubator maintains a specific level of carbon dioxide to support the growth of cells that require higher CO2 concentrations. Water incubators are not mentioned as a type of air incubator in the given options.

The correct answer is "wiped down with a disinfectant solution." When cleaning the interior of an incubator, it is important to use a disinfectant solution and wipe down the surfaces to remove any dirt, bacteria, or other contaminants. This helps to maintain a clean and sterile environment for the incubation process. Filling the interior with a disinfectant and rinsing or spraying it down and leaving it to sit for 5 minutes may also be effective cleaning methods, but the most direct and efficient way is to wipe down the surfaces with a disinfectant solution.

Glass wares are rinsed 3 times with tap water then 3 times with purified water (using deionized water)

If the centrifuge is not properly loaded and balanced, it can cause undue wear on the rotor. This is because an unbalanced load can create additional stress and strain on the rotor, leading to premature wear and potential damage. Additionally, an improperly balanced load can cause excessive vibration, which could cause the centrifuge to move off the counter top. This can be dangerous and may result in damage to the centrifuge or injury to individuals nearby. Lastly, an unbalanced tube can break due to the uneven distribution of weight, potentially causing a mess or even injury.

Purified water should be used in a water bath because it is free from impurities and contaminants that may affect the experiment or the substances being heated or cooled. Tap water may contain minerals and chemicals that could interfere with the desired results. Boiled water may still contain some impurities, while distilled water lacks essential minerals. Purified water goes through additional filtration processes to remove impurities, making it the most suitable choice for a water bath.

Both A and B are correct answers because placing and operating centrifuges inside a biological safety cabinet or a fume hood provides an additional layer of protection. These containment devices help to minimize the risk of exposure to hazardous materials or aerosols that may be generated during the centrifugation process. Placing the centrifuge on the countertop alone may not provide the same level of protection. Therefore, it is recommended to use both a biological safety cabinet and a fume hood for operating centrifuges.

The correct answer is "There should be no beads or oily patches where the water does not uniformly coat the glassware surface." This answer is correct because after the final rinse, the glassware should be inspected to ensure that there are no areas where the water does not evenly coat the surface. If there are beads or oily patches present, it indicates that the glassware is not properly rinsed and may still have contaminants or residues on its surface. Therefore, a thorough inspection is necessary to ensure the cleanliness of the glassware.