American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Technologist in Cytogenetics certification (ASCP CG) Practice Test

What technique helps prevent microbial contamination and cross contamination of cultures?

1. Aseptic technique

2. Germicidal protocol

3. Isolation method

4. Filtration technique

The correct answer is: Aseptic technique

Aseptic technique is the correct approach to prevent microbial contamination and cross-contamination of cultures. This method involves practices that maintain sterility during the handling of cultures and biological samples. Aseptic technique minimizes the risk of introducing unwanted microorganisms into cultures by following procedures that ensure that the environment, materials, and surfaces involved in handling biological samples are free from contaminants. Techniques include sterilizing equipment (such as inoculating loops and culture media), proper hand hygiene, using flame to sterilize the air around open culture dishes, working near a Bunsen burner, and employing other methods such as wearing gloves and using sterile containers. These steps are critical in clinical and laboratory settings, particularly in cytogenetics, where accurate results are paramount. While the other options, such as germicidal protocols, isolation methods, and filtration techniques, can contribute to reducing contamination, they do not focus primarily on the overall process of maintaining a sterile environment during culture handling in the same comprehensive manner that aseptic technique does.