Histotechnology Examination Questions
and Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. The primary purpose of histotechnology is to
A. Diagnose diseases by imaging only
B. Culture bacteria
C. Measure blood glucose
D. Prepare tissue specimens for microscopic examination
Correct Answer: D. Prepare tissue specimens for microscopic examination
Rationale: Histotechnology involves processing, sectioning, staining, and mounting
tissues so they can be accurately evaluated under a microscope.
2. A histotechnologist primarily works with
A. Blood chemistry analyzers
B. Electrocardiograms
C. X-ray equipment
D. Tissue specimens
Correct Answer: D. Tissue specimens
Rationale: Histotechnologists prepare tissue samples for pathological
examination.
3. The first major step after tissue collection is usually
,A. Embedding
B. Sectioning
C. Staining
D. Fixation
Correct Answer: D. Fixation
Rationale: Fixation preserves tissue structure and prevents decomposition.
4. The most commonly used routine tissue fixative is
A. Methanol
B. Acetone
C. Ethanol
D. 10% neutral buffered formalin
Correct Answer: D. 10% neutral buffered formalin
Rationale: Neutral buffered formalin is the standard fixative for most surgical
pathology specimens.
5. The primary purpose of fixation is to
A. Color tissues
B. Remove paraffin
C. Dissolve proteins
D. Preserve tissue structure
Correct Answer: D. Preserve tissue structure
Rationale: Fixation stabilizes proteins and prevents autolysis and putrefaction.
6. Autolysis refers to
A. Bacterial contamination
B. Tissue staining
,C. Wax infiltration
D. Self-digestion of tissue by enzymes
Correct Answer: D. Self-digestion of tissue by enzymes
Rationale: Autolysis occurs when cellular enzymes break down tissues after death.
7. Putrefaction is caused primarily by
A. Heat alone
B. Dehydration
C. Formalin exposure
D. Bacterial decomposition
Correct Answer: D. Bacterial decomposition
Rationale: Bacteria degrade tissues if fixation is delayed or inadequate.
8. Formaldehyde preserves tissue mainly by
A. Dissolving DNA
B. Removing calcium
C. Melting lipids
D. Cross-linking proteins
Correct Answer: D. Cross-linking proteins
Rationale: Formaldehyde forms cross-links between proteins, stabilizing tissue
structure.
9. Tissue thickness for routine fixation is generally kept at about
A. 5 cm
B. 3 cm
C. 2 cm
D. 3–5 mm
Correct Answer: D. 3–5 mm
, Rationale: Thin tissue slices allow rapid and complete penetration of fixative.
10. The volume of fixative should be approximately
A. Equal to tissue volume
B. Twice tissue volume
C. Five times tissue volume
D. Ten times tissue volume
Correct Answer: D. Ten times tissue volume
Rationale: An excess of fixative ensures complete tissue preservation.
11. After fixation, tissues are typically processed by
A. Freezing immediately
B. Air drying
C. Heating only
D. Dehydration, clearing, and infiltration
Correct Answer: D. Dehydration, clearing, and infiltration
Rationale: These steps prepare tissues for paraffin embedding.
12. Dehydration removes
A. Lipids
B. Paraffin
C. Proteins
D. Water
Correct Answer: D. Water
Rationale: Water must be removed before paraffin infiltration because paraffin is
not water-soluble.
and Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. The primary purpose of histotechnology is to
A. Diagnose diseases by imaging only
B. Culture bacteria
C. Measure blood glucose
D. Prepare tissue specimens for microscopic examination
Correct Answer: D. Prepare tissue specimens for microscopic examination
Rationale: Histotechnology involves processing, sectioning, staining, and mounting
tissues so they can be accurately evaluated under a microscope.
2. A histotechnologist primarily works with
A. Blood chemistry analyzers
B. Electrocardiograms
C. X-ray equipment
D. Tissue specimens
Correct Answer: D. Tissue specimens
Rationale: Histotechnologists prepare tissue samples for pathological
examination.
3. The first major step after tissue collection is usually
,A. Embedding
B. Sectioning
C. Staining
D. Fixation
Correct Answer: D. Fixation
Rationale: Fixation preserves tissue structure and prevents decomposition.
4. The most commonly used routine tissue fixative is
A. Methanol
B. Acetone
C. Ethanol
D. 10% neutral buffered formalin
Correct Answer: D. 10% neutral buffered formalin
Rationale: Neutral buffered formalin is the standard fixative for most surgical
pathology specimens.
5. The primary purpose of fixation is to
A. Color tissues
B. Remove paraffin
C. Dissolve proteins
D. Preserve tissue structure
Correct Answer: D. Preserve tissue structure
Rationale: Fixation stabilizes proteins and prevents autolysis and putrefaction.
6. Autolysis refers to
A. Bacterial contamination
B. Tissue staining
,C. Wax infiltration
D. Self-digestion of tissue by enzymes
Correct Answer: D. Self-digestion of tissue by enzymes
Rationale: Autolysis occurs when cellular enzymes break down tissues after death.
7. Putrefaction is caused primarily by
A. Heat alone
B. Dehydration
C. Formalin exposure
D. Bacterial decomposition
Correct Answer: D. Bacterial decomposition
Rationale: Bacteria degrade tissues if fixation is delayed or inadequate.
8. Formaldehyde preserves tissue mainly by
A. Dissolving DNA
B. Removing calcium
C. Melting lipids
D. Cross-linking proteins
Correct Answer: D. Cross-linking proteins
Rationale: Formaldehyde forms cross-links between proteins, stabilizing tissue
structure.
9. Tissue thickness for routine fixation is generally kept at about
A. 5 cm
B. 3 cm
C. 2 cm
D. 3–5 mm
Correct Answer: D. 3–5 mm
, Rationale: Thin tissue slices allow rapid and complete penetration of fixative.
10. The volume of fixative should be approximately
A. Equal to tissue volume
B. Twice tissue volume
C. Five times tissue volume
D. Ten times tissue volume
Correct Answer: D. Ten times tissue volume
Rationale: An excess of fixative ensures complete tissue preservation.
11. After fixation, tissues are typically processed by
A. Freezing immediately
B. Air drying
C. Heating only
D. Dehydration, clearing, and infiltration
Correct Answer: D. Dehydration, clearing, and infiltration
Rationale: These steps prepare tissues for paraffin embedding.
12. Dehydration removes
A. Lipids
B. Paraffin
C. Proteins
D. Water
Correct Answer: D. Water
Rationale: Water must be removed before paraffin infiltration because paraffin is
not water-soluble.
