Certification Examination Practice

Illinois Medical Laboratory Technician Certification Examination Practice Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• What is the primary function of red blood cells (RBCs)?
• Fight infections
• Transport oxygen
• Produce antibodies
• Clot blood

Rationale: RBCs contain hemoglobin, which binds and carries oxygen to

tissues.

• Which anticoagulant is commonly used for coagulation studies?

A. EDTA

• Heparin 1 / 4

• Sodium citrate
• Potassium oxalate

Rationale: Sodium citrate chelates calcium reversibly, preserving clotting

factors for coagulation tests.

• A patient’s glucose level is measured at 200 mg/dL after fasting. This is

indicative of:

• Normal glucose
• Diabetes mellitus
• Hypoglycemia
• Prediabetes

Rationale: Fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dL on two separate occasions

indicates diabetes mellitus.

• What is the most common cause of iron deficiency anemia?
• Hemolysis
• Vitamin B12 deficiency
• Chronic blood loss
• Renal disease

Rationale: Chronic blood loss, such as from gastrointestinal bleeding,

depletes iron stores leading to microcytic anemia.

• Which white blood cell is primarily responsible for allergic reactions?
• Neutrophils
• Monocytes
• Eosinophils 2 / 4

• Lymphocytes

Rationale: Eosinophils release mediators in response to allergens and

parasitic infections.

• What is the normal pH range of arterial blood?

A. 6.8–7.0

B. 7.0–7.2

C. 7.35–7.45

D. 7.5–7.6

Rationale: Arterial blood pH is tightly regulated between 7.35 and 7.45 to

maintain homeostasis.

• Which of the following is a gram-positive cocci in clusters?
• Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Neisseria meningitidis
• Escherichia coli

Rationale: Staphylococcus aureus appears as gram-positive cocci in

clusters under a microscope.

8. The presence of APTT prolongation with normal PT indicates a defect in:

• Extrinsic pathway
• Intrinsic pathway
• Common pathway
• Platelet function 3 / 4

Rationale: APTT measures the intrinsic and common pathways; a

prolonged APTT with normal PT suggests intrinsic pathway defect.

• What is the principle of the ELISA test?
• Agglutination
• Antigen-antibody binding with enzyme detection
• Hemolysis
• Precipitation

Rationale: ELISA uses antigen-antibody interactions detected by enzyme-

linked color change.

• Which of the following is a ketone body?
• Glucose
• Glycogen
• Acetoacetate
• Lactic acid

Rationale: Acetoacetate is produced in the liver during fatty acid

metabolism and is a type of ketone body.

• Which blood type is considered the universal donor?
• A+
• B-

C. AB+

• O-

Rationale: O- lacks A, B, and Rh antigens, making it compatible with all

blood recipients.

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