MLT ASCP PRACTICE
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE 2026
FULL QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◍ A;Eosinophils do not have cytoplasm containing large purple/blue-staining
granules. Instead, their granules are large but are orange/red in color. These
granules are very distinctive for this type of cell, typically making their
identification simple..
Answer: ll of the following statements describe an eosinophil EXCEPT:A.
Cytoplasm contains large purple/blue-staining granules.B. May be called an
"eo"C. Is a member of the granulocyte seriesD. Cytoplasm contains large
reddish-orange granules.
◍ B;Public health guidelines recommend that manipulation of samples for
influenza testing be done inside a safety cabinet. Safety goggles could be
worn if the specimen or procedure may be prone to splashes or sprays of
infectious material. Utility gloves are not necessary..
Answer: Public health guidelines recommend that laboratory specimens for
influenza testing must be manipulated using which of the following safety
precautions?A. Safety gogglesB. Safety cabinetC. Utility glovesD. None of
the above
◍ B;The correct answer for this question is 1300 mg/d
L. The laboratorian performed a 1:4 dilution by adding 0.25 mL (or 250
microliters) of patient sample to 750 microliters of diluent. This creates a
total volume of 1000 microliters. So, the patient sample is 250 microliters of
the 1000 microliter mixed sample, or a ratio of 1:4. Therefore, the result
given by the chemistry analyzer must be multiplied by a dilution factor of 4.
, 325 mg/dL x 4 = 1300 mg/d
L. .
Answer: After experiencing extreme fatigue and polyuria, a patient's basic
metabolic panel is analyzed in the laboratory. The result of the glucose is
too high for the instrument to read. The laboratorian performs a dilution
using 0.25 mL of patient sample to 750 microliters of diluent. The result
now reads 325 mg/dL. How should the techologist report this patient's
glucose result?A. 325 mg/dLB. 1300 mg/dLC. 975 mg/dLD. 1625 mg/dL
◍ A;Conversion of only the slant to a pink color in a Christensen's urea agar
slant is produced by bacterial species that have weak urease activity. The
reaction in the slant to the right is often produced by Klebsiella species, as
an example. Strong urease activity is indicated by conversion of the slant
and the butt of the tube to a pink color, as seen in the tube to the left. The
slant only reaction in the right tube may be seen early on if only the slant
had been inoculated; however, with a strong urease producer, both the slant
and the butt would turn. Therefore, the reaction is dependent on the strength
of urease activity. If the media had outdated for a prolonged period, either
there would be no reaction or the appearance of only a faint pink tinge,
either in the slant, the butt or both, again depending on the strength of urease
production by the unknown organism..
Answer: The urease reaction seen in the Christensen's urea agar slant on the
far right indicates:A. Weak activityB. Strong activityC. Slant only
inoculatedD. Use of outdated medium
◍ A;Gluconeogenesis is the formation of glucose from noncarbohydrates
when carbohydrate intake is absent, a fasting state. The hormone cortisol
along with glucagon and epinephrine all stimulate this metabolic pathway.
Insulin; however, inhibits this pathway and is therefore the correct answer..
Answer: Which of the following hormones inhibits gluconeogenesis, the
formation of glucose from noncarbohydrate sources such as amino acids,
glycerol, and fatty acids?A. InsulinB. EpinephrineC. CortisolD. Glucagon
◍ D;The steps in the PCR process are:1. Denaturation (Turning double
, stranded DNA into single strands.)2. Annealing/Hybrization (Attachment of
primers to the single DNA strands.)3. Extension (Creating the
complementary strand to produce new double stranded DN
A. ).
Answer: What is the first step of the PCR reaction?A. HybridizationB.
ExtensionC. AnnealingD. Denaturation
◍ 1. B2. C3. AGranular casts are composed of plasma protein aggregates and
cellular remnants. Granular casts appear as cylinders of coarse, or fine,
highly refractive particles.Broad casts or "renal failure' casts are formed in
the collecting ducts as the result of urinary stasis and are two to six times the
size of other types of casts. Any type of cast can be a broad cast. Broad casts
are typically seen in patients with advanced renal failure.Hyaline casts, the
type most commonly seen in urine sediment, have a refractive index similar
to the urine in which they are suspended. For this reason, hyaline casts will
appear almost invisible under brightfield microscopy, but are easily of seen
by phase-contrast microscopy..
Answer: Match the following descriptions of casts with their appropriate
name:1. Casts with highly refractive particles 2. "Renal failure" cast 3. Low
refractive index A. Hyaline castsB. Granular CastsC. Broad Casts
◍ B;Isotonic or normal saline is a 0.85 % solution of sodium chloride in
water..
Answer: The concentration of sodium chloride in an isotonic solution is :A.
8.5 %B. 0.85 %C. 0.08 %D. 1 molar
◍ C;In DIC, or disseminated intravascular coagulation, the prothrombin time
is increased due to the consumption of the coagulation factors due to the tiny
clots forming throughout the vasculature. This is also the reason that the
fibrinogen levels and platelet levels are decreased. Finally FDP, or fibrin
degredation products, are increased due to the formation and subsequent
dissolving of many tiny clots in the vasculature. The FDPs are the pieces of
fibrin that are left after the fibrinolytic processes take place..
Answer: Which of the following laboratory results would be seen in a
, patient with acute Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)?A.
prolonged PT, elevated platelet count, decreased FDPB. normal PT,
decreased fibrinogen, decreased platelet count, decreased FDPC. prolonged
PT, decreased fibrinogen, decreased platelet count, increased FDPD. normal
PT, decreased platelet count, decreased FDP
◍ B;A dilution commonly used for a routine sperm count is a 1:20..
Answer: A dilution commonly used for a routine sperm count is:A. 1:2B.
1:20C. 1:200D. 1:400
◍ B;Prozone effect (due to antibody excess) will result in an initial false
negative in spite of the large amount of antibody in the serum, followed by a
positive result as the specimen is diluted..
Answer: The prozone effect ( when performing a screening titer) is most
likely to result in:A. False positiveB. False negativeC. No reaction at allD.
Mixed field reaction
◍ C;The blood glucose value is critical; negative ketones is consistent with
type 2 diabetes. An elderly type 2 diabetic patient is at risk for hyperosmolar
non-ketotic coma and osmolality should be measured.A measurement of
urine glucose would not be useful at this point..
Answer: A 70-year-old type 2 diabetic patient is comatose and in the
emergency department. Stat blood glucose and serum ketones are
ordered.Blood Glucose: 650 mg/dLSerum Ketones: NegativeWhat is the
best conclusion?A. Glucose result is acceptable for type 2 diabetic patientB.
Because of the glucose and ketone result, the patient now has type 1
diabetesC. The glucose result is critical and the patient should be evaluated
for hyperosmolalityD. Urine glucose should be measured
◍ E;The patient's BUN is within normal range (5-20 mg/dL) while the
creatinine is about five times the upper normal range (0.6-1.2 mg/dL). Gross
elevations in creatinine are almost always accompanied by elevations in
BUN when there is kidney impairment. Either the BUN or creatinine value
in this case is incorrect. Both tests should be repeated..
Answer: A patient's BUN value is 15 mg/dl and his creatinine is 5 mg/dl. If
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE 2026
FULL QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◍ A;Eosinophils do not have cytoplasm containing large purple/blue-staining
granules. Instead, their granules are large but are orange/red in color. These
granules are very distinctive for this type of cell, typically making their
identification simple..
Answer: ll of the following statements describe an eosinophil EXCEPT:A.
Cytoplasm contains large purple/blue-staining granules.B. May be called an
"eo"C. Is a member of the granulocyte seriesD. Cytoplasm contains large
reddish-orange granules.
◍ B;Public health guidelines recommend that manipulation of samples for
influenza testing be done inside a safety cabinet. Safety goggles could be
worn if the specimen or procedure may be prone to splashes or sprays of
infectious material. Utility gloves are not necessary..
Answer: Public health guidelines recommend that laboratory specimens for
influenza testing must be manipulated using which of the following safety
precautions?A. Safety gogglesB. Safety cabinetC. Utility glovesD. None of
the above
◍ B;The correct answer for this question is 1300 mg/d
L. The laboratorian performed a 1:4 dilution by adding 0.25 mL (or 250
microliters) of patient sample to 750 microliters of diluent. This creates a
total volume of 1000 microliters. So, the patient sample is 250 microliters of
the 1000 microliter mixed sample, or a ratio of 1:4. Therefore, the result
given by the chemistry analyzer must be multiplied by a dilution factor of 4.
, 325 mg/dL x 4 = 1300 mg/d
L. .
Answer: After experiencing extreme fatigue and polyuria, a patient's basic
metabolic panel is analyzed in the laboratory. The result of the glucose is
too high for the instrument to read. The laboratorian performs a dilution
using 0.25 mL of patient sample to 750 microliters of diluent. The result
now reads 325 mg/dL. How should the techologist report this patient's
glucose result?A. 325 mg/dLB. 1300 mg/dLC. 975 mg/dLD. 1625 mg/dL
◍ A;Conversion of only the slant to a pink color in a Christensen's urea agar
slant is produced by bacterial species that have weak urease activity. The
reaction in the slant to the right is often produced by Klebsiella species, as
an example. Strong urease activity is indicated by conversion of the slant
and the butt of the tube to a pink color, as seen in the tube to the left. The
slant only reaction in the right tube may be seen early on if only the slant
had been inoculated; however, with a strong urease producer, both the slant
and the butt would turn. Therefore, the reaction is dependent on the strength
of urease activity. If the media had outdated for a prolonged period, either
there would be no reaction or the appearance of only a faint pink tinge,
either in the slant, the butt or both, again depending on the strength of urease
production by the unknown organism..
Answer: The urease reaction seen in the Christensen's urea agar slant on the
far right indicates:A. Weak activityB. Strong activityC. Slant only
inoculatedD. Use of outdated medium
◍ A;Gluconeogenesis is the formation of glucose from noncarbohydrates
when carbohydrate intake is absent, a fasting state. The hormone cortisol
along with glucagon and epinephrine all stimulate this metabolic pathway.
Insulin; however, inhibits this pathway and is therefore the correct answer..
Answer: Which of the following hormones inhibits gluconeogenesis, the
formation of glucose from noncarbohydrate sources such as amino acids,
glycerol, and fatty acids?A. InsulinB. EpinephrineC. CortisolD. Glucagon
◍ D;The steps in the PCR process are:1. Denaturation (Turning double
, stranded DNA into single strands.)2. Annealing/Hybrization (Attachment of
primers to the single DNA strands.)3. Extension (Creating the
complementary strand to produce new double stranded DN
A. ).
Answer: What is the first step of the PCR reaction?A. HybridizationB.
ExtensionC. AnnealingD. Denaturation
◍ 1. B2. C3. AGranular casts are composed of plasma protein aggregates and
cellular remnants. Granular casts appear as cylinders of coarse, or fine,
highly refractive particles.Broad casts or "renal failure' casts are formed in
the collecting ducts as the result of urinary stasis and are two to six times the
size of other types of casts. Any type of cast can be a broad cast. Broad casts
are typically seen in patients with advanced renal failure.Hyaline casts, the
type most commonly seen in urine sediment, have a refractive index similar
to the urine in which they are suspended. For this reason, hyaline casts will
appear almost invisible under brightfield microscopy, but are easily of seen
by phase-contrast microscopy..
Answer: Match the following descriptions of casts with their appropriate
name:1. Casts with highly refractive particles 2. "Renal failure" cast 3. Low
refractive index A. Hyaline castsB. Granular CastsC. Broad Casts
◍ B;Isotonic or normal saline is a 0.85 % solution of sodium chloride in
water..
Answer: The concentration of sodium chloride in an isotonic solution is :A.
8.5 %B. 0.85 %C. 0.08 %D. 1 molar
◍ C;In DIC, or disseminated intravascular coagulation, the prothrombin time
is increased due to the consumption of the coagulation factors due to the tiny
clots forming throughout the vasculature. This is also the reason that the
fibrinogen levels and platelet levels are decreased. Finally FDP, or fibrin
degredation products, are increased due to the formation and subsequent
dissolving of many tiny clots in the vasculature. The FDPs are the pieces of
fibrin that are left after the fibrinolytic processes take place..
Answer: Which of the following laboratory results would be seen in a
, patient with acute Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)?A.
prolonged PT, elevated platelet count, decreased FDPB. normal PT,
decreased fibrinogen, decreased platelet count, decreased FDPC. prolonged
PT, decreased fibrinogen, decreased platelet count, increased FDPD. normal
PT, decreased platelet count, decreased FDP
◍ B;A dilution commonly used for a routine sperm count is a 1:20..
Answer: A dilution commonly used for a routine sperm count is:A. 1:2B.
1:20C. 1:200D. 1:400
◍ B;Prozone effect (due to antibody excess) will result in an initial false
negative in spite of the large amount of antibody in the serum, followed by a
positive result as the specimen is diluted..
Answer: The prozone effect ( when performing a screening titer) is most
likely to result in:A. False positiveB. False negativeC. No reaction at allD.
Mixed field reaction
◍ C;The blood glucose value is critical; negative ketones is consistent with
type 2 diabetes. An elderly type 2 diabetic patient is at risk for hyperosmolar
non-ketotic coma and osmolality should be measured.A measurement of
urine glucose would not be useful at this point..
Answer: A 70-year-old type 2 diabetic patient is comatose and in the
emergency department. Stat blood glucose and serum ketones are
ordered.Blood Glucose: 650 mg/dLSerum Ketones: NegativeWhat is the
best conclusion?A. Glucose result is acceptable for type 2 diabetic patientB.
Because of the glucose and ketone result, the patient now has type 1
diabetesC. The glucose result is critical and the patient should be evaluated
for hyperosmolalityD. Urine glucose should be measured
◍ E;The patient's BUN is within normal range (5-20 mg/dL) while the
creatinine is about five times the upper normal range (0.6-1.2 mg/dL). Gross
elevations in creatinine are almost always accompanied by elevations in
BUN when there is kidney impairment. Either the BUN or creatinine value
in this case is incorrect. Both tests should be repeated..
Answer: A patient's BUN value is 15 mg/dl and his creatinine is 5 mg/dl. If
