ProcessingDifficulty 2/5
What distinguishes a critical value from an ordinary abnormal result?
- AIt falls outside the reference range published by the laboratory
- BIt was produced by point-of-care rather than by laboratory testing
- CIt requires the specimen to be re-collected before it can be reported
- DIt requires immediate notification rather than routine reporting
Show answer and rationale
Correct: D. Task 5G is to recognise and report critical values for point-of-care and CLIA-waived testing. The defining feature is urgency of notification, not simply that the number is abnormal.
- A — Many results fall outside the reference range without being critical values.
- B — Critical values arise from both laboratory and point-of-care testing.
- C — Re-collection is a separate task at 5I and is not what defines a critical value.