(2025-2026).
UAMS Hematology Lab Final Exam - 180 Practice Questions
SECTION 1: BLOOD SMEAR PREPARATION AND STAINING (Questions 1-30)
Question 1:
What is the correct smear preparation process?
A) Place blood at the frosted end, spread at 15-degree angle
B) Place blood 1/2 inch from frosted end, spread at 30-45 degree angle
C) Place blood in the center, spread at 60-degree angle
D) Place blood at the feathered edge, spread at 90-degree angle
Answer: B
Rationale: The correct smear prep involves placing a drop of blood from an EDTA
tube 1/2 inch from the frosted end. The spreader slide is held at a 30-45 degree
angle, pulled back into the drop, allowed to spread, then pushed forward
smoothly .
Question 2:
Which of the following is NOT a cause of a bad smear?
,A) Dirty slide
B) Jerky motion
C) Using EDTA anticoagulated blood
D) Pointed feather edge
E) Unequal pressure
Answer: C
Rationale: Using EDTA anticoagulated blood is the standard practice for smear
preparation. Causes of bad smears include dirty slides, jerky motion, pointed
feather edge, angle too steep, not allowing blood to spread, high lipid levels, and
unequal pressure .
Question 3:
What is the coverslip smear primarily used for?
A) Routine peripheral blood smears
B) Bone marrow preparations
C) CSF analysis
D) Urine sediment analysis
,Answer: B
Rationale: Coverslip smears are specifically used for making bone marrow
preparations, not for routine peripheral blood smears .
Question 4:
What items are needed for Wright's stain procedure?
A) Wright's stain, buffer, methanol only
B) Wright's stain, buffer, rinse solution, timer, staining jars
C) Wright's stain and water only
D) Wright's stain and fixative only
Answer: B
Rationale: The complete Wright's stain requires the stain itself, buffer, rinse
solution, timer, and appropriate staining containers. Methanol is used as a fixative
.
Question 5:
Excessively blue slides may be due to:
, A) Insufficient staining time
B) Prolonged washing
C) Smear being too thin
D) Smear being too thick and prolonged staining time
Answer: D
Rationale: Excessively blue slides result from the smear being too thick or
prolonged staining time. Insufficient staining and prolonged washing cause red
(pink) slides .
Question 6:
Excessively red (pink) slides may be due to:
A) Prolonged staining time
B) Smear being too thick
C) Insufficient staining time and prolonged washing
D) Unfiltered Wright's stain
Answer: C