MLT case studies
MLT · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) certification examination is the entry-level credentialing exam that many employers and state licensure boards expect before a technician performs patient testing independently. Candidates are typically graduates of an accredited medical laboratory technician or clinical laboratory technician program, though eligibility rules differ by certifying body and should be confirmed before you apply. The exam is designed to test whether you can function on the bench from day one, not whether you can recall a textbook verbatim. Content is weighted across the major laboratory sections - blood bank, clinical chemistry, hematology, and microbiology carry the largest shares, followed by urinalysis and body fluids, then immunology and laboratory operations/quality management. The MLT case studies are 5 cases and about 3,322 words.
1ABO Grouping Discrepancy in a Pre-Operative Patient
R., 61, is booked for a total hip arthroplasty in 18 hours with a 2-unit crossmatch request. His type-and-screen shows: forward grouping - anti-A 4+, anti-B 0, anti-D 4+, anti-C 0; reverse grouping - A1 cells 2+ at immediate spin, B cells 0; autocontrol negative.
692 words, about 3 min2An Impossible Potassium in an Asymptomatic Patient
A 58-year-old man attends his GP for a routine insurance physical. He feels well, exercises regularly, and takes no medication.
664 words, about 3 min3Platelet Fall on Post-Operative Day Six
A 67-year-old woman is on post-operative day 6 after coronary artery bypass grafting. She received unfractionated heparin intraoperatively and has been on subcutaneous heparin 5000 units twice daily for DVT prophylaxis since day 1.
692 words, about 3 min4One Positive Blood Culture Bottle in the ICU
A 74-year-old man is on day 4 in the ICU after emergency laparotomy for a perforated sigmoid colon. He is febrile to 38.6 °C, white cell count 16.5 x10^9/L, and has a right internal jugular central line placed on admission.
650 words, about 3 min5Reactive Syphilis Screen with a Nonreactive RPR in Pregnancy
A 29-year-old woman at 10 weeks' gestation has routine prenatal screening. Her syphilis screening EIA (IgG/IgM) is reactive with an index of 3.4.
624 words, about 3 min