ASCP HEMATOLOGY QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES Q &A 2026 |INSTANT
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1. Which of the following are typical causes of microcytic
anemia?
A. Iron deficiency
B. Vitamin B12 deficiency
C. Thalassemia
D. Chronic disease
Rationale: Microcytic anemia is characterized by a low MCV
and is commonly caused by conditions that impair hemoglobin
synthesis.
Answer: A, C, D
2. What is the primary function of neutrophils?
A. Phagocytosis of bacteria
B. Production of antibodies
C. Clot formation
D. Histamine release
Rationale: Neutrophils are key innate immune cells responsible
for engulfing and destroying pathogens.
Answer: A
,3. Which laboratory test is most useful in diagnosing iron
deficiency anemia?
A. Serum ferritin
B. Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)
C. Reticulocyte count
D. Platelet count
Rationale: Serum ferritin reflects iron stores and is the most
sensitive test for iron deficiency.
Answer: A, B
4. Which of the following can lead to hemolytic anemia?
A. Sickle cell disease
B. Autoimmune disorders
C. G6PD deficiency
D. Iron deficiency
Rationale: Hemolytic anemia results from increased
destruction of red blood cells due to genetic or acquired
conditions.
Answer: A, B, C
5. Which are characteristics of normal RBC morphology?
A. Biconcave shape
B. Central pallor of 1/3 diameter
,C. Absence of nuclei
D. Large size variation
Rationale: Normal RBCs are biconcave, anucleate, with uniform
size and a central pallor.
Answer: A, B, C
6. What is the most common cause of neutropenia?
A. Viral infection
B. Bacterial infection
C. Iron deficiency
D. Autoimmune disease
Rationale: Viral infections are the most frequent cause of
transient neutropenia.
Answer: A
7. Which findings are typical in megaloblastic anemia?
A. Macrocytosis
B. Hypersegmented neutrophils
C. Low reticulocyte count
D. Basophilic stippling
Rationale: Megaloblastic anemia (B12/folate deficiency) causes
impaired DNA synthesis, leading to macrocytosis and
hypersegmented neutrophils.
Answer: A, B, C
, 8. What is the main function of platelets?
A. Oxygen transport
B. Blood coagulation
C. Immune defense
D. Hormone transport
Rationale: Platelets are essential for primary hemostasis and
clot formation.
Answer: B
9. Which hemoglobin variants are detected in hemoglobin
electrophoresis?
A. HbA
B. HbF
C. HbS
D. HbC
Rationale: Hemoglobin electrophoresis separates hemoglobin
variants based on charge and mobility.
Answer: A, B, C, D
10. What laboratory feature is common in chronic lymphocytic
leukemia (CLL)?
A. Lymphocytosis
B. Anemia
C. Thrombocytopenia
D. Neutropenia
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES Q &A 2026 |INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following are typical causes of microcytic
anemia?
A. Iron deficiency
B. Vitamin B12 deficiency
C. Thalassemia
D. Chronic disease
Rationale: Microcytic anemia is characterized by a low MCV
and is commonly caused by conditions that impair hemoglobin
synthesis.
Answer: A, C, D
2. What is the primary function of neutrophils?
A. Phagocytosis of bacteria
B. Production of antibodies
C. Clot formation
D. Histamine release
Rationale: Neutrophils are key innate immune cells responsible
for engulfing and destroying pathogens.
Answer: A
,3. Which laboratory test is most useful in diagnosing iron
deficiency anemia?
A. Serum ferritin
B. Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)
C. Reticulocyte count
D. Platelet count
Rationale: Serum ferritin reflects iron stores and is the most
sensitive test for iron deficiency.
Answer: A, B
4. Which of the following can lead to hemolytic anemia?
A. Sickle cell disease
B. Autoimmune disorders
C. G6PD deficiency
D. Iron deficiency
Rationale: Hemolytic anemia results from increased
destruction of red blood cells due to genetic or acquired
conditions.
Answer: A, B, C
5. Which are characteristics of normal RBC morphology?
A. Biconcave shape
B. Central pallor of 1/3 diameter
,C. Absence of nuclei
D. Large size variation
Rationale: Normal RBCs are biconcave, anucleate, with uniform
size and a central pallor.
Answer: A, B, C
6. What is the most common cause of neutropenia?
A. Viral infection
B. Bacterial infection
C. Iron deficiency
D. Autoimmune disease
Rationale: Viral infections are the most frequent cause of
transient neutropenia.
Answer: A
7. Which findings are typical in megaloblastic anemia?
A. Macrocytosis
B. Hypersegmented neutrophils
C. Low reticulocyte count
D. Basophilic stippling
Rationale: Megaloblastic anemia (B12/folate deficiency) causes
impaired DNA synthesis, leading to macrocytosis and
hypersegmented neutrophils.
Answer: A, B, C
, 8. What is the main function of platelets?
A. Oxygen transport
B. Blood coagulation
C. Immune defense
D. Hormone transport
Rationale: Platelets are essential for primary hemostasis and
clot formation.
Answer: B
9. Which hemoglobin variants are detected in hemoglobin
electrophoresis?
A. HbA
B. HbF
C. HbS
D. HbC
Rationale: Hemoglobin electrophoresis separates hemoglobin
variants based on charge and mobility.
Answer: A, B, C, D
10. What laboratory feature is common in chronic lymphocytic
leukemia (CLL)?
A. Lymphocytosis
B. Anemia
C. Thrombocytopenia
D. Neutropenia
