ASCP CG ACTUAL TEST PAPER 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉For successful harvest, each new batch of hypotonic solution
should be evaluated by: Answer: comparing the new lot to a lot
already in use
◉Colagenase, pronase, and trypsin are: Answer: Proteolytic
enzymes - break down tissues into single-cell suspensions
◉When harvesting peripheral blood cultures, asceptic technique no
longer matters following incubation with: Answer: Colcemid -
mitotic spindle poison that halts cells at metaphase
◉Samples that arrive at the cytogenetics lab should first be: Answer:
Logged in to the system
◉Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulates which type of cells into
division? Answer: T-cell lymphocytes
,◉To avoid culture failure, monitoring reagents is crucial. When
logging a culture failure, what is the MOST important to document?
Answer: Expiration dates of reagents used
◉Which type of microscope is used when cleaning a CVS (chorionic
villus) sample? Answer: Dissection
◉Which cell type is most problematic if found in a CVS (chorionic
villus) sample? Answer: Decidua (maternal tissue)
◉When looking at a slide under a phase contrast scope and a lot of
cytoplasm is still seen around the mets, what is the most likely
cause? Answer: innappropriate slide drying time
◉What will help prevent microbial contamination and cross
contamination of cultures? Answer: Asceptic technique
◉When there are not enough mets to complete the study of a
patient/case, what needs to be done next? Answer: prepare
additional slides from any remaining sample
◉When looking at a dropped slide under a phase scope and mets are
very spread out and sparse, what could help fix the issue? Answer:
Increading the drying time by using warm slides
,◉What is true of an inverted microscope? Answer: the objectives are
beneath the stage
◉High-resolution banding is indicated for a possible diagnosis of:
Answer: DiGenorge syndrome -- microdeletion of 22q11, also called
velocardiofacial syndrome
"velo" - soft palette,
"cardio" - congenital heart defects,
"facial" - unique abnormal facial features, short philtrum (upper lip
indent), tubular nose, wide spread eyes, etc
◉When verifying if a specimen is appropriate for cytogenetic
analysis, what is the MOST important data to accompany the
specimen? Answer: Reason for referral
◉Which type of specimen should be requested for a cytogenetic
analysis for turner syndrome? Answer: Heparinized peripheral
blood stored at room temperature
(NOT FROZEN)
, ◉A blood sample can be used to study the cytogenetics of a
malignancy only if: Answer: Dividing leukemic cells are present in
circulation
◉All of the cultures in a CO2 incubator failed, what aspects of the
incubator are important to monitor to assess the source of the
problem? Answer: Temperature,
CO2 level, and
Humidity level
◉The most important factor affecting the quality of chromosomes
viewed under a phase contrast scope is: Answer: Slide drying after
the cells have been dropped
◉What is the modal number (default number of chromosomes in a
cell) for a Down syndrome translocation carrier? Answer: 45
◉What is the best tissue to use for both a good success rate and
abnormality detection in spontaneous abortion miscarriages?
Answer: Chorionic villi
◉What is a possible cause for a drying oven to not maintain a proper
temperature? Answer: The door does not seal properly
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉For successful harvest, each new batch of hypotonic solution
should be evaluated by: Answer: comparing the new lot to a lot
already in use
◉Colagenase, pronase, and trypsin are: Answer: Proteolytic
enzymes - break down tissues into single-cell suspensions
◉When harvesting peripheral blood cultures, asceptic technique no
longer matters following incubation with: Answer: Colcemid -
mitotic spindle poison that halts cells at metaphase
◉Samples that arrive at the cytogenetics lab should first be: Answer:
Logged in to the system
◉Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulates which type of cells into
division? Answer: T-cell lymphocytes
,◉To avoid culture failure, monitoring reagents is crucial. When
logging a culture failure, what is the MOST important to document?
Answer: Expiration dates of reagents used
◉Which type of microscope is used when cleaning a CVS (chorionic
villus) sample? Answer: Dissection
◉Which cell type is most problematic if found in a CVS (chorionic
villus) sample? Answer: Decidua (maternal tissue)
◉When looking at a slide under a phase contrast scope and a lot of
cytoplasm is still seen around the mets, what is the most likely
cause? Answer: innappropriate slide drying time
◉What will help prevent microbial contamination and cross
contamination of cultures? Answer: Asceptic technique
◉When there are not enough mets to complete the study of a
patient/case, what needs to be done next? Answer: prepare
additional slides from any remaining sample
◉When looking at a dropped slide under a phase scope and mets are
very spread out and sparse, what could help fix the issue? Answer:
Increading the drying time by using warm slides
,◉What is true of an inverted microscope? Answer: the objectives are
beneath the stage
◉High-resolution banding is indicated for a possible diagnosis of:
Answer: DiGenorge syndrome -- microdeletion of 22q11, also called
velocardiofacial syndrome
"velo" - soft palette,
"cardio" - congenital heart defects,
"facial" - unique abnormal facial features, short philtrum (upper lip
indent), tubular nose, wide spread eyes, etc
◉When verifying if a specimen is appropriate for cytogenetic
analysis, what is the MOST important data to accompany the
specimen? Answer: Reason for referral
◉Which type of specimen should be requested for a cytogenetic
analysis for turner syndrome? Answer: Heparinized peripheral
blood stored at room temperature
(NOT FROZEN)
, ◉A blood sample can be used to study the cytogenetics of a
malignancy only if: Answer: Dividing leukemic cells are present in
circulation
◉All of the cultures in a CO2 incubator failed, what aspects of the
incubator are important to monitor to assess the source of the
problem? Answer: Temperature,
CO2 level, and
Humidity level
◉The most important factor affecting the quality of chromosomes
viewed under a phase contrast scope is: Answer: Slide drying after
the cells have been dropped
◉What is the modal number (default number of chromosomes in a
cell) for a Down syndrome translocation carrier? Answer: 45
◉What is the best tissue to use for both a good success rate and
abnormality detection in spontaneous abortion miscarriages?
Answer: Chorionic villi
◉What is a possible cause for a drying oven to not maintain a proper
temperature? Answer: The door does not seal properly
