1.14: Point-of-care (Near-patient)

Use the following Key to answer Questions 1 through 6:

1. 1, 2, and 3 are correct
2. 1 and 3 are correct
3. 2 and 4 are correct
4. only 4 is correct
5. all are correct

1. Which of the following statements is not true regarding the use of quality control (QC) for single-use, point-of-care devices?
   1. QC material and testing is often incorporated into the device.
   2. Liquid QC material must be run at least every 24 hours.
   3. Electronic QC checks can be performed to validate testing devices.
   4. Central laboratory personnel are required to perform QC testing.
2. Once point-of-care devices, such as glucose meters, are placed into service which of the following must be routinely performed on the devices?
   1. Linearity
   2. Proficiency testing
   3. Demonstration of accuracy vs. another routine laboratory device
   4. Clinical utility
3. Which of the following are synonyms for ‘point-of-care’ testing?
   1. Decentralized testing
   2. Bedside testing
   3. Waived testing
   4. Alternate site testing
4. Types of technologies employed for point-of-care testing devices include:
   1. Small testing devices requiring manually read endpoints.
   2. The use of simple, portable instruments.
   3. Instruments remaining attached or fixed to the patient.
   4. Devices that use chromatographic methods.
5. Which of the following are proven or potential benefits of ‘point-of-care’ testing?
   1. Less blood is needed for analysis.
   2. Precision and accuracy are as good as central laboratory testing
   3. Results are more rapidly available to physicians.
   4. Always results in improved patient care (decreased morbidity and mortality).
6. Implementation of available point-of-care testing programs requires the active participation of:
   1. Nursing personnel
   2. Central laboratory personnel
   3. Physicians
   4. Administration personnel
7. Which of the following statements is not true about ‘point-of-care’ testing?
   1. Employs technology as advanced as that used in the central laboratory
   2. Is mostly performed by non-laboratorians.
   3. Always requires a small amount of blood to be drawn from patients.
   4. Is not always subject to regulatory control.
   5. Can provide results to physicians much faster than the central laboratory.
8. All of the following tests but one are now proven to have clinical utility as a ‘point-of-care’ test. This test is:
   1. Troponin I (or T)
   2. ACT
   3. Potassium
   4. Prothromin time (PT)
   5. Glucose
9. Institutional responsibility for point-of-care testing almost always falls to:
   1. Nursing personnel
   2. Central laboratory personnel
   3. Central supply personnel
   4. Senior hospital administration
   5. Medical board members
10. When available, proficiency testing is not required for all point-of-care testing?
    1. True
    2. False
11. Which of the following statements most accurately reflects the flow of data from point-of-care testing (POCT) devices?
    1. Can always be electronically transmitted to the LIS.
    2. Is not legally valid if not sent electronically to the LIS.
    3. Can use infrared beams to transfer data to the LIS.
    4. If electronic connectivity is available, each device must be directly linked to the LIS.
    5. Data from POCT is always available in the patient’s electronic record.

Answer

1. a (p. 315)
2. a (p. 306)
3. e (p. 304)
4. e (p. 311-314)
5. b (p. 305)
6. e (p. 308)
7. c (p. 304)
8. a (p. 305)
9. b (p. 306)
10. b(p. 309)
11. c (p. 316)