NHA Phlebotomy Certification Practice Exam

Which two major areas comprise the clinical laboratory?

1. Chemistry and hematology

2. Cytology and histology

3. Anatomical and clinical

4. Urinalysis and microbiology

The correct answer is: Anatomical and clinical

The two major areas that comprise the clinical laboratory are anatomical and clinical. The anatomical area typically involves the study of structure, including the examination of tissues and specimens for diagnostic purposes, while the clinical area focuses on laboratory tests that provide information on the functioning of various bodily systems. This distinction is important because it highlights the different types of diagnostic work performed in a laboratory setting. In contrast, the other options list specific branches within those categories or individual areas of focus rather than the overarching divisions of the laboratory. For example, while chemistry and hematology are important components of the clinical realm, they do not encompass the full range of laboratory activities. Similarly, cytology and histology are more specialized fields that fall under the anatomical category, and urinalysis and microbiology represent specific testing types within the clinical laboratory framework, but again do not define the major divisions of clinical laboratory work as a whole. Thus, identifying anatomical and clinical as the two major areas gives a clearer picture of how clinical laboratories are structured and operate.