Page 1 of 114
ASCP MLS HEMATOLOGY EXAM PRACTICE
LATEST UPDATE 2026-2027 ALL 300
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
Question: When an erythrocyte containing iron granules is stained with Prussian blue, the cell
is called a:
A. Spherocyte
B. Leptocyte
C. Schistocyte
D. Siderocyte - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔D. Siderocytes are red cells containing iron granules
and are visible when stained with Prussian blue.
Question: A 7.0-mL ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) tube is received in the laboratory
containing only 2.0 mL of blood. If the laboratory is using manual techniques, which of the
following tests will most likely be erroneous?
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A. RBC count
B. Hemoglobin (Hgb)
C. Hct
D. WBC count - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔C. Excessive anticoagulant causes shrinkage of cells;
thus, the Hct will be affected. RBC and WBC counts
remain the same, as does the Hgb content.
Question: A 1:200 dilution of a patient's sample was made and 336 red cells were counted in
an area of 0.2 mm^2. What is the RBC count?
A. 1.68 × 1012/L
B. 3.36 × 1012/L
C. 4.47 × 1012/L
D. 6.66 × 1012/L - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔B. RBC count = number of cells counted × dilution
factor × depth factor (10), divided by the area.
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In this example, 336 × 200 × 10 = 672,000 ÷ 0.2 = 3.36 ×
106/mm^3 = 3.36 × 10^12/L.
Question: What phagocytic cells produce lysozymes that are bacteriocidal?
A. Eosinophils
B. Lymphocytes
C. Platelets
D. Neutrophils - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔D. Neutrophils are highly phagocytic and release
lysozymes, peroxidase, and pyrogenic proteins.
Eosinophils migrate to sites where there is an allergic reaction or parasitic infestation, releasing
peroxidase, pyrogens, and other enzymes, including an oxidase that neutralizes histamine. They
are poorly phagocytic and do not release lysozyme.
Question: If a patient has a reticulocyte count of 7% and an Hct of 20%, what is the corrected
reticulocyte count?
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A. 1.4%
B. 3.1%
C. 3.5%
D. 14% - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔B. In anemic states, the reticulocyte percentage is not
a true measure of reticulocyte production. The following formula must be applied to calculate
the
corrected (for anemia) reticulocyte count. Corrected
reticulocyte count = reticulocytes (%) × Hct ÷ 45, the
average normal Hct. In this case, 7 × (20 ÷ 45) = 3.1.
Question: A decreased osmotic fragility test would be associated with which of the following
conditions?
A. Sickle cell anemia
B. Hereditary spherocytosis
C. Hemolytic disease of the newborn
ASCP MLS HEMATOLOGY EXAM PRACTICE
LATEST UPDATE 2026-2027 ALL 300
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
Question: When an erythrocyte containing iron granules is stained with Prussian blue, the cell
is called a:
A. Spherocyte
B. Leptocyte
C. Schistocyte
D. Siderocyte - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔D. Siderocytes are red cells containing iron granules
and are visible when stained with Prussian blue.
Question: A 7.0-mL ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) tube is received in the laboratory
containing only 2.0 mL of blood. If the laboratory is using manual techniques, which of the
following tests will most likely be erroneous?
, Page 2 of 114
A. RBC count
B. Hemoglobin (Hgb)
C. Hct
D. WBC count - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔C. Excessive anticoagulant causes shrinkage of cells;
thus, the Hct will be affected. RBC and WBC counts
remain the same, as does the Hgb content.
Question: A 1:200 dilution of a patient's sample was made and 336 red cells were counted in
an area of 0.2 mm^2. What is the RBC count?
A. 1.68 × 1012/L
B. 3.36 × 1012/L
C. 4.47 × 1012/L
D. 6.66 × 1012/L - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔B. RBC count = number of cells counted × dilution
factor × depth factor (10), divided by the area.
, Page 3 of 114
In this example, 336 × 200 × 10 = 672,000 ÷ 0.2 = 3.36 ×
106/mm^3 = 3.36 × 10^12/L.
Question: What phagocytic cells produce lysozymes that are bacteriocidal?
A. Eosinophils
B. Lymphocytes
C. Platelets
D. Neutrophils - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔D. Neutrophils are highly phagocytic and release
lysozymes, peroxidase, and pyrogenic proteins.
Eosinophils migrate to sites where there is an allergic reaction or parasitic infestation, releasing
peroxidase, pyrogens, and other enzymes, including an oxidase that neutralizes histamine. They
are poorly phagocytic and do not release lysozyme.
Question: If a patient has a reticulocyte count of 7% and an Hct of 20%, what is the corrected
reticulocyte count?
, Page 4 of 114
A. 1.4%
B. 3.1%
C. 3.5%
D. 14% - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔B. In anemic states, the reticulocyte percentage is not
a true measure of reticulocyte production. The following formula must be applied to calculate
the
corrected (for anemia) reticulocyte count. Corrected
reticulocyte count = reticulocytes (%) × Hct ÷ 45, the
average normal Hct. In this case, 7 × (20 ÷ 45) = 3.1.
Question: A decreased osmotic fragility test would be associated with which of the following
conditions?
A. Sickle cell anemia
B. Hereditary spherocytosis
C. Hemolytic disease of the newborn
