CAP Pro Course - Immunology - Qualitative HIV Testing (2026 & 2027)

Author: Andrea Gordon, M.Ed., MLS(ASCP)SH
Reviewer: Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM

Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Describe the types of tests used in HIV screening and how they work.
  • Describe the follow-up testing used to confirm and monitor HIV testing.
  • Discuss diagnostic algorithms and reporting concerns pertinent to HIV testing.
  • Outline the quality control program needed and the materials required for HIV testing.

Course Outline

  • Describe the types of tests used in HIV screening and how they work.
      • Human Immunodeficiency Virus
      • HIV Infection
      • Testing for HIV
      • Types of Immunoassays
      • Evolution of HIV Testing
      • A hospital laboratory is asked to run a stat HIV test (third generation) on an employee who just had an accidental needle stick. The patient (the sour...
      • A laboratory professional is asked by a clinician if the HIV assay the laboratory is currently using is a fourth-generation test. Which of the followi...
      • Which of the following is not true of a third-generation HIV screening test?
      • A patient screens positive for HIV-2 antibodies, but not HIV-1 antibodies, using a test that discriminates between the two antibodies. Which of the fo...
      • What is the result of this rapid HIV-1/2 antibody test, where C represents the control area, and T represents the test area?
  • Describe the follow-up testing used to confirm and monitor HIV testing.
      • Follow-Up Testing
      • No More Western Blots
      • Status of Available Tests
      • Nucleic Acid Testing
      • A medical laboratory scientist performed an initial HIV screening test using a 4th-generation assay with a serum sample. The result was positive (reac...
      • Western blot (WB) tests were traditionally the gold standard for secondary HIV testing. Which of the following is a limitation of WB tests?
      • Which of the following statements is true concerning HIV testing algorithms?
      • When applied to HIV testing, NAT refers to which of the following?
      • If an initial HIV screen is positive, what should be the next step?
  • Discuss diagnostic algorithms and reporting concerns pertinent to HIV testing.
      • Algorithms for Testing
      • Discrepant Results
      • Monitoring HIV
      • Rapid HIV
      • A medical laboratory scientist (MLS) receives a phone call from a clinician who states that a patient screened positive initially using a fifth-genera...
      • A laboratory uses a third-generation HIV-1/-2 antibody test method. A blood sample from a three-day-old infant is received in the laboratory for HIV t...
      • A medical laboratory scientist (MLS) has a positive screen result using a third-generation HIV test. The confirmatory test is also positive. What is t...
      • A medical laboratory scientist (MLS) has a sample that screens negative using a fifth-generation test. The sample came from a patient who was previous...
      • A small laboratory wishes to begin performing HIV testing. Because of its low volume, it plans to batch the testing and run it once weekly on Fridays....
  • Outline the quality control program needed and the materials required for HIV testing.
      • Quality Control
      • Controls for HIV Tests
      • Quality Assurance
      • The cutoff value for a chemiluminescent anti-HIV-1/2 method is 1.0. The first anti-HIV assay run of the day yields the following results:Negative cont...
      • A laboratory is using an HIV nucleic acid test (NAT) to monitor infection. The manufacturer requires that controls be performed with each patient run....
      • A laboratory supervisor notices that there are six positive HIV samples in one day. The usual number of positives is less than one. Which is likely or...
      • An off-site clinic affiliate has received a whole-blood rapid anti-HIV test kit from the laboratory via courier. The kit is a CLIA-waived device. The ...
      • Bracketed QC refers to which of the following?
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: This program is designed as an educational and training tool for MLS and MLT personnel, medical laboratory science students and interns, pathology residents, and practicing pathologists.
Author Information: Andrea G. Gordon, M.Ed, MLS(ASCP), SH has over 25 years of experience as a Program Director for various laboratory science programs. She has approximately 5 years of experience as an administrator in higher education as a VP and Director of Education. Additionally, she has over 15 years of experience as a volunteer for NAACLS.
The author has no conflict of interest to disclose.
Reviewer Information: Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM, is a Lead Education Developer. She earned a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of North Dakota and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Saint Xavier University. She has over 15 years of experience in higher education and has held program director and faculty positions in both MLT and MLS programs.

This course is part of the CAP Competency Assessment Hub.

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