Serologic Testing

Question 1

What is Rapid Plasma Reagin?

Answer 1

Non-treponemal test for serologic detecting of the antibody Reagin

Question 2

Why is the antibody Reagin produced?

Answer 2

Produced in response to an infection of syphilis caused by Treponema pallidum

Question 3

What is the RPR reagin?

Answer 3

Phospholipid and is found in the serum/plasma of patients with syphilis

Question 4

What is the causative agent of syphilis?

Answer 4

Treponema pallidum

Question 5

What is the vehicle or “antigen” used to see the macroscopic results of RPR?

Answer 5

Carbon charcoal particle

Question 6

Does the RPR test require confirmation?

Answer 6

Yes, it is only a screening test

Question 7

What is a positive RPR test?

Answer 7

If flocculation is present

Question 8

What is the confirmatory test for RPR?

Answer 8

Fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorbed test (FTA-ABS)

Question 9

What will be shown on a confirmatory FTA-ABS test?

Answer 9

Slide will fluoresce under UV light on a positive test

Question 10

What two tubes of blood will collect for serum and plasma for RPR test?

Answer 10

• Serum: Red/SST (without anticoagulation)

- Plasma: Purple ( with anticoagulation)

Question 11

How should the serum look after centrifuge for RPR?

Answer 11

Clear and non-hemolyzed

Question 12

What is included within the RPR test kit?

Answer 12

• RPR Card antigen suspension
• Plastic disposable bottle
• 20 gauge, galvanized needle, blunt tip
• Test cards
• Pipettes/stirrers
• RPR Test control cards
• 1 mL Tuberculin syringe
• Distilled water
• Mechanical rotator

Question 13

What need to be done prior to RPR testing?

Answer 13

• Centrifuge specimen
• Mix antigen by shaking vigorously for 10-15 seconds
• Attach needle to hub of dispensing bottle
• Snap off top of ampule and draw antigen into dispensing bottle

Question 14

How many drops do you transfer from specimen to card for RPR testing?

Answer 14

One drop

Question 15

How many drops of antigen to the specimen and control to be tested with dispensing bottle?

Answer 15

One drop

Question 16

How long do you place test card and controls on the rotator and at what rpm?

Answer 16

• 8 minutes

- 100 prm

Question 17

When do you read the test card for RPR?

Answer 17

At the end of 8 minutes

Question 18

How many times do you rotate and tilt the RPR card?

Answer 18

3-4 times

- use a to-fro motion

Question 19

How do you read the RPR card?

Answer 19

Macroscopically

Question 20

What is the range of flocculation in a reactive test?

Answer 20

• Slight but definite
• Minimum to moderate
• Marked and intense

Question 21

How is RPR reported?

Answer 21

Either reactive or non-reactive

Question 22

What are the two QC sections of serology testing?

Answer 22

• Equipment QC

- Reagent QC

Question 23

Regarding equipment QC, what does the mechanical rotator need to be calibrated to?

Answer 23

100 RPM

Question 24

Regarding equipment QC, what does the antigen needle need to be calibrated to?

Answer 24

60 drops/mL

Question 25

What are the two pieces of equipment within equipment QC?

Answer 25

- Mechanical rotator | - Antigen needle

Question 26

What are the three controls for Reagent QC in RPR testing?

Answer 26

- Reactive - Weak-reactive - Non-reactive

Question 27

How are Control reagents treated in RPR testing?

Answer 27

Treated as Pt's

Question 28

What is the monospot test used to detect?

Answer 28

Infectious mononucleosis which is a self-limiting disease caused by Epstein-Barr virus

Question 29

When is infectious mononucleosis typically seen?

Answer 29

Young adults and children less than 5 yrs

Question 30

What is the presentation of infectious mononucleosis?

Answer 30

- Fever - Malaise - Lethargy - Sore throat with exudates - Enlarged lymph nodes on the neck - Mild hepatitis - Enlarged spleen - Occasional blotchy skin rash

Question 31

What does infectious mononucleosis cause?

Answer 31

Accumulation of increased numbers and abnormal forms of lymphocytes and monocytes within lymph nodes - Causes the formation of "heterophile" antibody

Question 32

What tubes do you collect blood in for infectious mononucleosis?

Answer 32

Tubes with or without anticoagulants

Question 33

What are the parts of the Monospot Latex Test Kit?

Answer 33

- Latex Reagent suspension - Pipettes/stirrers - Test slides - Positive/negative control

Question 34

What should be done prior to conducting monospot testing?

Answer 34

- Centrifuge the specimen - Test the specimen within 24 hours if stored between 2-8 degrees Celsius - Perform positive/negative QC

Question 35

To what temperature does the Latex reagent need to reach after refrigeration?

Answer 35

Room temperature (20-30 degrees Celsius)

Question 36

How long do you gently rotate the slide for when testing for infectious mononucleosis?

Answer 36

- 3 minutes manually or on a rotary shaker set to 60-100 rpm

Question 37

How is infectious mononucleosis reported?

Answer 37

Positive or negative

Question 38

What does a positive test for infectious mononucleosis show?

Answer 38

Shows agglutination

Question 39

What does a negative test for infectious mononucleosis show?

Answer 39

Demonstrate a smooth, homogenous solution with no agglutination