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Lab Management & Ethics practice questions.

Ethics principles, confidentiality, quality management, staff and operations, and management concepts.

All subjects

Independent practice questions written by Labologics. Not affiliated with DHA, DOH (formerly HAAD), SCFHS, Prometric or any exam body. Not recalled exam questions.

Ethics principles

Q1 Ethics principles · Easy

Respecting a patient's right to make decisions about their own care is:

  1. A: Autonomy
  2. B: Justice
  3. C: Nonmaleficence
  4. D: Beneficence
Show answer

Answer: A — Autonomy

Informed consent is based on autonomy.

Reference: Beauchamp & Childress: Principles of Biomedical Ethics

Q2 Ethics principles · Easy

Acting for the benefit of the patient is:

  1. A: Autonomy
  2. B: Beneficence
  3. C: Justice
  4. D: Fidelity
Show answer

Answer: B — Beneficence

Nonmaleficence means 'do no harm'.

Reference: Beauchamp & Childress: Principles of Biomedical Ethics

Q3 Ethics principles · Medium

Deciding fairly which of two patients receives a scarce blood unit or organ is mainly about:

  1. A: Veracity
  2. B: Autonomy
  3. C: Justice (fair distribution of resources)
  4. D: Confidentiality
Show answer

Answer: C — Justice (fair distribution of resources)

Clinical urgency and agreed allocation rules guide the decision.

Reference: Beauchamp & Childress: Principles of Biomedical Ethics

Q4 Ethics principles · Easy

The principle 'first, do no harm' is:

  1. A: Justice
  2. B: Autonomy
  3. C: Beneficence
  4. D: Nonmaleficence
Show answer

Answer: D — Nonmaleficence

It underlies safe practice such as rejecting unsafe specimens.

Reference: Beauchamp & Childress: Principles of Biomedical Ethics

Q5 Ethics principles · Easy

A patient wants to join a clinical trial. Before enrolment you need:

  1. A: Written informed consent from the patient, under an ethics-approved protocol
  2. B: The doctor's signature only
  3. C: Nothing
  4. D: Verbal agreement from a relative
Show answer

Answer: A — Written informed consent from the patient, under an ethics-approved protocol

Patients can withdraw at any time.

Reference: Beauchamp & Childress: Principles of Biomedical Ethics

Q6 Ethics principles · Medium

Researchers ask the lab for patient data for a study. The lab should first require:

  1. A: Nothing, data are anonymous
  2. B: Approval from an ethics committee (IRB) and a data protection plan
  3. C: Payment
  4. D: Verbal approval from the lab manager
Show answer

Answer: B — Approval from an ethics committee (IRB) and a data protection plan

Even de-identified data use usually needs ethics review.

Reference: Beauchamp & Childress: Principles of Biomedical Ethics

Q7 Ethics principles · Medium

A staff member works part-time for a company and recommends buying its analyzer without disclosing this. This is:

  1. A: Beneficence
  2. B: Teamwork
  3. C: A conflict of interest
  4. D: Efficiency
Show answer

Answer: C — A conflict of interest

Conflicts must be disclosed and the person excluded from the decision.

Reference: Harmening: Laboratory Management - Principles and Processes

Confidentiality

Q8 Confidentiality · Easy

A relative asks for a patient's results. The correct action is:

  1. A: Give them by phone
  2. B: Give only normal results
  3. C: Give them if they are family
  4. D: Do not give them without the patient's consent; refer to the patient or the doctor
Show answer

Answer: D — Do not give them without the patient's consent; refer to the patient or the doctor

This applies to spouses, parents of adults and friends.

Reference: Beauchamp & Childress: Principles of Biomedical Ethics

Q9 Confidentiality · Medium

The husband of an HIV-positive patient asks for her result. The lab should:

  1. A: Not release it; results go to the patient or the requesting doctor, who handles partner notification
  2. B: Give it if he is also tested
  3. C: Post it on the ward
  4. D: Give it after checking his ID
Show answer

Answer: A — Not release it; results go to the patient or the requesting doctor, who handles partner notification

Partner notification follows national guidelines and is done with counseling.

Reference: Beauchamp & Childress: Principles of Biomedical Ethics

Q10 Confidentiality · Easy

A technologist looks up a colleague's results in the LIS out of curiosity. This is:

  1. A: Allowed for staff
  2. B: A breach of confidentiality
  3. C: Quality control
  4. D: Acceptable if no one finds out
Show answer

Answer: B — A breach of confidentiality

Access is only for work that requires it.

Reference: ISO 15189: Medical laboratories - Requirements for quality and competence

Q11 Confidentiality · Easy

A staff member photographs a patient in the ER and posts it online. This is:

  1. A: Allowed with the nurse's permission
  2. B: Acceptable without names
  3. C: A privacy violation that must be reported
  4. D: Good teaching
Show answer

Answer: C — A privacy violation that must be reported

Images need patient consent and must follow hospital policy.

Reference: Beauchamp & Childress: Principles of Biomedical Ethics

Q12 Confidentiality · Medium

Which image can usually be used for teaching without individual consent, under hospital policy?

  1. A: A patient's ID band
  2. B: A photo of the request form
  3. C: A patient's face
  4. D: A de-identified microscope image of a tissue slide
Show answer

Answer: D — A de-identified microscope image of a tissue slide

Remove all identifiers.

Reference: Beauchamp & Childress: Principles of Biomedical Ethics

Q13 Confidentiality · Easy

A patient with cancer asks for their own report. They:

  1. A: Have the right to receive their results, usually explained by their doctor
  2. B: Need a relative's permission
  3. C: Must wait 1 year
  4. D: Cannot see it
Show answer

Answer: A — Have the right to receive their results, usually explained by their doctor

Patients can also request copies or slides for a second opinion, per policy.

Reference: Beauchamp & Childress: Principles of Biomedical Ethics

Q14 Confidentiality · Easy

A patient asks the lab technologist what their abnormal results mean. The best response is:

  1. A: Diagnose the patient
  2. B: Explain what the test measures in general terms and refer them to their doctor for interpretation
  3. C: Refuse to speak
  4. D: Tell them it is cancer
Show answer

Answer: B — Explain what the test measures in general terms and refer them to their doctor for interpretation

Diagnosis and treatment advice are the doctor's role.

Reference: Harmening: Laboratory Management - Principles and Processes

Quality management

Q15 Quality management · Medium

Evaluation of a laboratory against defined standards by an independent body is:

  1. A: Certification of staff
  2. B: Licensure
  3. C: Accreditation
  4. D: Proficiency testing
Show answer

Answer: C — Accreditation

ISO 15189 is the international standard for medical laboratory accreditation. Licensure is legal permission from the government.

Reference: ISO 15189: Medical laboratories - Requirements for quality and competence

Q16 Quality management · Medium

Quality assurance differs from quality control because QA:

  1. A: Is only done externally
  2. B: Is the same as calibration
  3. C: Only checks analyzer controls
  4. D: Covers the whole testing process: pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical
Show answer

Answer: D — Covers the whole testing process: pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical

QC is the analytical part; QA monitors everything, such as TAT, specimen rejection and reporting errors.

Reference: Harmening: Laboratory Management - Principles and Processes

Q17 Quality management · Medium

The Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle is used for:

  1. A: Continuous quality improvement
  2. B: Staff scheduling
  3. C: Waste disposal
  4. D: Calibrating analyzers
Show answer

Answer: A — Continuous quality improvement

Also called the Deming cycle.

Reference: Harmening: Laboratory Management - Principles and Processes

Q18 Quality management · Easy

A written set of step-by-step instructions for performing a test is a:

  1. A: Package insert
  2. B: Standard operating procedure (SOP)
  3. C: Requisition
  4. D: Logbook
Show answer

Answer: B — Standard operating procedure (SOP)

SOPs are controlled documents, reviewed regularly and accessible to staff.

Reference: ISO 15189: Medical laboratories - Requirements for quality and competence

Q19 Quality management · Medium

An error caught before it reaches the patient is a:

  1. A: Malpractice
  2. B: Sentinel event
  3. C: Near miss
  4. D: Adverse event
Show answer

Answer: C — Near miss

Reporting near misses in a non-punitive way helps prevent future harm.

Reference: Harmening: Laboratory Management - Principles and Processes

Q20 Quality management · Medium

After a serious error, a structured review to find the underlying system causes is:

  1. A: Proficiency testing
  2. B: Delta check
  3. C: Disciplinary action
  4. D: Root cause analysis
Show answer

Answer: D — Root cause analysis

The focus is on fixing systems, not blaming individuals.

Reference: Harmening: Laboratory Management - Principles and Processes

Q21 Quality management · Medium

A wrong result was released. The correct action is:

  1. A: Issue an amended (corrected) report, notify the clinician and document the error
  2. B: Wait for the doctor to notice
  3. C: Change it without a record
  4. D: Delete it silently
Show answer

Answer: A — Issue an amended (corrected) report, notify the clinician and document the error

The original result stays in the audit trail.

Reference: ISO 15189: Medical laboratories - Requirements for quality and competence

Q22 Quality management · Easy

A critical (panic) value is found. The lab should:

  1. A: Wait for the routine report
  2. B: Notify the responsible clinician promptly, use read-back and document who was told and when
  3. C: Email the patient
  4. D: Repeat it three times before telling anyone
Show answer

Answer: B — Notify the responsible clinician promptly, use read-back and document who was told and when

Repeat only if lab policy requires, and without delaying notification.

Reference: ISO 15189: Medical laboratories - Requirements for quality and competence

Q23 Quality management · Hard

Under CAP guidance, surgical pathology reports and paraffin blocks are kept for at least:

  1. A: 6 months
  2. B: 1 year
  3. C: 10 years
  4. D: Forever
Show answer

Answer: C — 10 years

Routine lab test records and QC records: at least 2 years under CAP. Follow national law if longer.

Reference: CAP: Retention of laboratory records and materials

Staff & operations

Q24 Staff & operations · Medium

Staff competency is assessed:

  1. A: Every 5 years
  2. B: Only after an error
  3. C: Only at hiring
  4. D: During the first year (e.g., at 6 months) and then at least annually
Show answer

Answer: D — During the first year (e.g., at 6 months) and then at least annually

Methods include direct observation, reviewing records, testing unknowns and problem solving.

Reference: Harmening: Laboratory Management - Principles and Processes

Q25 Staff & operations · Easy

A newly hired technologist with no experience should start with:

  1. A: Orientation and supervised training with documented competency
  2. B: Releasing reports immediately
  3. C: Proficiency testing only
  4. D: Night shifts alone
Show answer

Answer: A — Orientation and supervised training with documented competency

Trainees cannot release results without authorized review.

Reference: ISO 15189: Medical laboratories - Requirements for quality and competence

Q26 Staff & operations · Medium

A technologist makes a serious error during a night shift. The correct response is:

  1. A: Wait until morning to correct it
  2. B: Correct the result immediately, inform the clinician and supervisor, and retrain as needed
  3. C: Hide it
  4. D: Fire the person immediately
Show answer

Answer: B — Correct the result immediately, inform the clinician and supervisor, and retrain as needed

Patient safety comes first; then fix the system.

Reference: Harmening: Laboratory Management - Principles and Processes

Q27 Staff & operations · Medium

During a staff shortage (e.g., COVID-19), a useful strategy is:

  1. A: Extending TAT without notice
  2. B: Closing the lab
  3. C: Cross-training staff to work in more than one section
  4. D: Skipping QC
Show answer

Answer: C — Cross-training staff to work in more than one section

Cross-trained staff must still be competency-assessed.

Reference: Harmening: Laboratory Management - Principles and Processes

Q28 Staff & operations · Medium

The LIS stops working. The lab should:

  1. A: Wait for IT before reporting anything
  2. B: Phone results to anyone who asks
  3. C: Stop all testing
  4. D: Follow downtime procedures: report results manually (priority to urgent samples), then enter and verify them in the LIS later
Show answer

Answer: D — Follow downtime procedures: report results manually (priority to urgent samples), then enter and verify them in the LIS later

Downtime procedures must be written and practiced.

Reference: ISO 15189: Medical laboratories - Requirements for quality and competence

Q29 Staff & operations · Medium

Before using a new LIS for patient results, the lab must:

  1. A: Validate it (test that data transfer, calculations and reports are correct)
  2. B: Delete old data
  3. C: Start directly
  4. D: Train only one person
Show answer

Answer: A — Validate it (test that data transfer, calculations and reports are correct)

Re-check after software updates.

Reference: ISO 15189: Medical laboratories - Requirements for quality and competence

Q30 Staff & operations · Easy

An analyzer malfunctions during urgent testing. The best action is:

  1. A: Report results anyway
  2. B: Take it out of service, report it, and use a backup analyzer, a manual method or a referral lab
  3. C: Keep running and ignore errors
  4. D: Turn it off and on until it works
Show answer

Answer: B — Take it out of service, report it, and use a backup analyzer, a manual method or a referral lab

Document the fault and repairs before returning it to service.

Reference: Harmening: Laboratory Management - Principles and Processes

Q31 Staff & operations · Medium

Reagent shortages are best prevented by:

  1. A: Borrowing from other labs
  2. B: Ordering only when stock runs out
  3. C: Regular inventory checks with minimum (par) levels and first-expiry, first-out use
  4. D: Buying large stocks once a year
Show answer

Answer: C — Regular inventory checks with minimum (par) levels and first-expiry, first-out use

FEFO reduces waste from expired reagents.

Reference: Harmening: Laboratory Management - Principles and Processes

Q32 Staff & operations · Easy

Turnaround time (TAT) is the time from:

  1. A: Lab opening to closing
  2. B: Shift start to end
  3. C: Calibration to QC
  4. D: Test request (or sample receipt) to result reporting, as the lab defines it
Show answer

Answer: D — Test request (or sample receipt) to result reporting, as the lab defines it

Monitoring TAT is a quality indicator.

Reference: Harmening: Laboratory Management - Principles and Processes

Management concepts

Q33 Management concepts · Medium

Achieving maximum output with minimum resources is:

  1. A: Efficiency
  2. B: Efficacy
  3. C: Equity
  4. D: Effectiveness
Show answer

Answer: A — Efficiency

Effectiveness = how well something works in practice; efficacy = how well it works under ideal conditions.

Reference: Harmening: Laboratory Management - Principles and Processes

Q34 Management concepts · Hard

The number of tests performed per month is an example of:

  1. A: Outcome
  2. B: Output
  3. C: Efficacy
  4. D: Impact
Show answer

Answer: B — Output

Outcomes are the effects on patients, such as faster diagnosis or fewer complications.

Reference: Harmening: Laboratory Management - Principles and Processes

Q35 Management concepts · Medium

Failing to do something a reasonable professional would do (e.g., not checking a critical result) is:

  1. A: Efficiency
  2. B: Beneficence
  3. C: Negligence
  4. D: Autonomy
Show answer

Answer: C — Negligence

Malpractice is professional negligence that causes harm.

Reference: Beauchamp & Childress: Principles of Biomedical Ethics