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

When logging culture failure, what is the MOST important aspect to document?

1. Number of cells present

2. Expiration dates of reagents used

3. Temperature fluctuations

4. Time of incubation

The correct answer is: Expiration dates of reagents used

When documenting culture failure, the expiration dates of reagents used is crucial to recognize because expired reagents can significantly impact the functionality and reliability of the culture process. Using reagents beyond their expiration date may lead to ineffective growth conditions, potentially misleading results, and an inability to ascertain the exact reason for the culture failure. Proper documentation of expiry ensures accountability and assists in troubleshooting by allowing for the identification of variables that are known to affect the culture outcome. While factors such as the number of cells present, temperature fluctuations, and time of incubation play important roles in the overall success or failure of a culture, understanding whether all reagents were within their effective usage period helps pinpoint the root cause of any issues encountered during the culture process. Documenting this aspect promotes rigorous quality control and helps maintain the integrity of laboratory practices.