CSMLS PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
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 Answers -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 Answers -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 Answers -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 Answers -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 Answers -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 Answers -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 Answers -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 Answers -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 Answers -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
d. disinfecting surfaces - Correct Answers -b. hand washing
Which of the following actions is considered negligence?
a. touching a patient without consent
b. failing to report a critical value
c. making a negative statement about a colleague
d. reporting child abuse - Correct Answers -NOT: a. touching a patient without consent
Probably: failing to report a critical value
ANSWERS
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 Answers -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 Answers -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 Answers -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 Answers -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 Answers -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 Answers -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 Answers -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 Answers -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 Answers -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
d. disinfecting surfaces - Correct Answers -b. hand washing
Which of the following actions is considered negligence?
a. touching a patient without consent
b. failing to report a critical value
c. making a negative statement about a colleague
d. reporting child abuse - Correct Answers -NOT: a. touching a patient without consent
Probably: failing to report a critical value
