Medical Laboratory Scientist ASCP Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Study Guide

The correct answer is Prozone effect. This term refers to a phenomenon observed in immunologic assays where, at high concentrations of antibodies, the formation of antigen-antibody complexes is hindered due to the excess of antibodies, resulting in an initial false negative. As the sample becomes diluted, this obstruction is reduced, allowing for proper binding of antigens and antibodies, which then yields a positive result.

Understanding the Prozone effect is critical in laboratory settings as it highlights the importance of sample dilution in certain assays, ensuring accurate detection of antibodies and antigens. This knowledge is vital for laboratory diagnosis and patient care, as failing to recognize this phenomenon may lead to misinterpretation of results and an incorrect clinical decision. The other terms, while related to immunology, describe different processes and do not specifically pertain to the initial false negative followed by a positive result due to dilution.