DOT Certification Practice Exam

Who is responsible for reviewing a positive drug screen result?

1. HR department

2. FMCSA representative

3. Medical Review Officer (MRO)

4. Safety officer

The correct answer is: Medical Review Officer (MRO)

The Medical Review Officer (MRO) plays a crucial role in the drug testing process, especially when it comes to reviewing positive drug screen results. The MRO is a licensed physician responsible for evaluating and interpreting drug testing results, including confirming whether a positive result is legitimate or if there may be a valid medical explanation for it. When a drug test returns a positive result, the MRO contacts the individual to discuss the result and obtain any relevant medical history or prescriptions that could explain the presence of the substance. This step is essential to ensure that individuals are not wrongly penalized for legal medications or substances that do not indicate substance abuse. The MRO acts as a safeguard for both the employer and the employee, ensuring a fair evaluation process in accordance with regulations. In contrast, while the HR department, FMCSA representatives, and safety officers may be involved in the broader context of drug policy or safety protocols, they do not possess the specialized training required to interpret medical results, making the MRO the appropriate and responsible individual for this task.