CSMLS PRACTICE QUESTIONS
EXAMS AND ANSWERS WITH
CORRECT ACCURATE SOLUTIONS
UPDATED 2025/ 2026
Which of the following requirements must be included in the setup of laboratory
information system? A. instrumentation interfaces with the LIS. B. indentification code
and password to each user. C. LIS interfaces to electronic medical record. D. specimen
assigned a unique barcode label - CORRECT ANSWES -- B. indentification code and
password to each user
Which of the following actions should be taken when the hematoxylin and eosin stain
lacks three distinct shades of pink?
a. check pH of fixative
b. replace hematoxylin
c. check pH of eosin
d. increase time in water - CORRECT ANSWES -- c. check pH of eosin
A dark brown pigment is noted on formalin fixed, hematoxylin and eosin stained section.
What action can prevent this from occurring?
a. maintain formalin at a neutral pH
b. treat sections with alcoholic picric acid
c. "bread loaf" large sections
d. increase fixation time - CORRECT ANSWES -- a. maintain formalin at a neutral pH
Which of the following actions should be taken when a supervisor continuously assigns
a technologist demeaning tasks?
a. accept the change in tasks
b. confront the supervisor publicly
c. seek third party mediation
d. criticize the supervisor to other colleagues - CORRECT ANSWES -- c. seek third
party mediation
Which of the following actions should be taken when tissue sections stained with
hematoxylin and eosin show pale cytoplasmic staining
a. use heat during the staining process
b. check the pH of the eosin and adjust the sodium hydroxide if necessary
c. return the slides to the bluing reagent
, d. check the pH of eosin and adjust with acetic acid if necessary - CORRECT ANSWES
-- d. check the pH of eosin and adjust with acetic acid if necessary
Which of the following statements is consistent with the results given below?
PLEURAL FLUID
- total nucleated cell count: markedly increased
- smear: numerous clumps of large cells without borders
a. repeat the total nucleated cell count
b. report as clotted specimen
c. suspicious of malignant cells
d. presence of the mesothelial cells - CORRECT ANSWES -- c. suspicious of malignant
cells
Which of the following actions should be taken when a technologist is disrespectful to a
nurse who is consistently interrupting their work?
a. file an occurrence report
b. engage in role clarification
c. organize work to accommodate priorities
d. engage in reflective practice - CORRECT ANSWES -- d. engage in reflective practice
Which of the following actions can account for the presence of Gram negative cocci in
chains from a blood culture?
a. under decolorization of the smear
b. omission of the counterstain step
c. drying of the smear prior to staining
d. overheating of the smear during fixation - CORRECT ANSWES -- not: under
decolorization of the smear
Where should a tissue specimen for frozen section be sent?
a. cytology
b. chemistry
c. histology
d. microbiology - CORRECT ANSWES -- c. histology
What is the proper order for removal of personal protective equipment?
a. gloves, mask, eye protection, gown
b. gown, gloves, eye protection, mask
c. gown, mask, gloves, eye protection
d. gloves, gown, eye protection, mask - CORRECT ANSWES -- d. gloves, gown, eye
protection, mask
What is the most important step in preventing infection?
a. wearing gloves
b. hand washing
c. wearing N95 mask
EXAMS AND ANSWERS WITH
CORRECT ACCURATE SOLUTIONS
UPDATED 2025/ 2026
Which of the following requirements must be included in the setup of laboratory
information system? A. instrumentation interfaces with the LIS. B. indentification code
and password to each user. C. LIS interfaces to electronic medical record. D. specimen
assigned a unique barcode label - CORRECT ANSWES -- B. indentification code and
password to each user
Which of the following actions should be taken when the hematoxylin and eosin stain
lacks three distinct shades of pink?
a. check pH of fixative
b. replace hematoxylin
c. check pH of eosin
d. increase time in water - CORRECT ANSWES -- c. check pH of eosin
A dark brown pigment is noted on formalin fixed, hematoxylin and eosin stained section.
What action can prevent this from occurring?
a. maintain formalin at a neutral pH
b. treat sections with alcoholic picric acid
c. "bread loaf" large sections
d. increase fixation time - CORRECT ANSWES -- a. maintain formalin at a neutral pH
Which of the following actions should be taken when a supervisor continuously assigns
a technologist demeaning tasks?
a. accept the change in tasks
b. confront the supervisor publicly
c. seek third party mediation
d. criticize the supervisor to other colleagues - CORRECT ANSWES -- c. seek third
party mediation
Which of the following actions should be taken when tissue sections stained with
hematoxylin and eosin show pale cytoplasmic staining
a. use heat during the staining process
b. check the pH of the eosin and adjust the sodium hydroxide if necessary
c. return the slides to the bluing reagent
, d. check the pH of eosin and adjust with acetic acid if necessary - CORRECT ANSWES
-- d. check the pH of eosin and adjust with acetic acid if necessary
Which of the following statements is consistent with the results given below?
PLEURAL FLUID
- total nucleated cell count: markedly increased
- smear: numerous clumps of large cells without borders
a. repeat the total nucleated cell count
b. report as clotted specimen
c. suspicious of malignant cells
d. presence of the mesothelial cells - CORRECT ANSWES -- c. suspicious of malignant
cells
Which of the following actions should be taken when a technologist is disrespectful to a
nurse who is consistently interrupting their work?
a. file an occurrence report
b. engage in role clarification
c. organize work to accommodate priorities
d. engage in reflective practice - CORRECT ANSWES -- d. engage in reflective practice
Which of the following actions can account for the presence of Gram negative cocci in
chains from a blood culture?
a. under decolorization of the smear
b. omission of the counterstain step
c. drying of the smear prior to staining
d. overheating of the smear during fixation - CORRECT ANSWES -- not: under
decolorization of the smear
Where should a tissue specimen for frozen section be sent?
a. cytology
b. chemistry
c. histology
d. microbiology - CORRECT ANSWES -- c. histology
What is the proper order for removal of personal protective equipment?
a. gloves, mask, eye protection, gown
b. gown, gloves, eye protection, mask
c. gown, mask, gloves, eye protection
d. gloves, gown, eye protection, mask - CORRECT ANSWES -- d. gloves, gown, eye
protection, mask
What is the most important step in preventing infection?
a. wearing gloves
b. hand washing
c. wearing N95 mask
