Question

Which of the following CLIA-waived serology tests can be performed by a medical assistant to detect antibodies to a specific pathogen?

a) Infectious mononucleosis
b) Helicobacter pylori
c) Lyme disease
d) HIV
e) All of the above

Answer 1

Medical assistants can perform CLIA-waived serology tests for infectious mononucleosis, HIV, Helicobacter pylori, and Lyme disease, which are simple tests with a low risk for error. Examples include qualitative assays for heterophile antibodies and indirect ELISA for HIV and Lyme disease.

Step-by-step explanation:

The CLIA-waived serology tests that a medical assistant can perform to detect antibodies to a specific pathogen include the detection of antibodies for diseases such as infectious mononucleosis (IM), which is diagnosed by the presence of heterophile antibodies through an immunoassay, HIV through tests like indirect ELISA, and antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease. These tests, such as the qualitative assay for detection of heterophile antibodies for IM, the indirect ELISA for HIV and Lyme disease, are performed using various techniques like hemagglutination and antigen-specific antibody detection.

Medical assistants may perform CLIA-waived tests which are considered to be simple tests with a minimal risk of an incorrect result. This includes tests for infections like IM, HIV, Helicobacter pylori, and Lyme disease. Therefore, the correct response showing the CLIA-waived serology tests a medical assistant can perform would be e) All of the above.