National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) Medical Assistant Practice Test

Which is crucial when performing any CLIA waived test?

1. Use a new kit for every test

2. Document the time of each test

3. Perform quality control testing

4. Ensure all tests are done in pairs

The correct answer is: Perform quality control testing

When performing any CLIA waived test, conducting quality control testing is essential. Quality control testing ensures that the test systems are performing correctly, producing reliable and accurate results. This involves running control samples alongside patient samples to confirm that the test reagents and equipment are functioning as intended. This practice is vital for maintaining the validity of the test results and can help identify any issues with the testing process or reagents before patient samples are analyzed. Regular quality control checks are part of standard operating procedures in laboratory testing to uphold safety and accuracy in patient care. While other practices, such as using new kits for every test or properly documenting test times, are important for overall testing protocol and patient records, they do not specifically address the reliability of the test results in the same way that quality control does. Ensuring tests are done in pairs is also not a standard requirement for all CLIA waived tests, making quality control the most crucial element in this context.