Connecticut Histotechnologist Examination -
Practice Exam Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales | Instant Download Pdf
Practice Question Bank & Answer Rationale
THIS PACK CONTAINS
150 exam-style multiple-choice questions. Each question includes the correct answer and a complete
rationale for focused revision.
COVERAGE
This practice exam assesses core competencies required for the Connecticut Histotechnologist licensure
examination, covering fixation, processing, embedding, microtomy, staining, immunohistochemistry, laboratory
safety, and quality assurance. Questions emphasize application-level reasoning and current best practices in
anatomic pathology.
STUDY GUIDE
Recommended duration: 2 hours. Passing target: 70% (35/50 correct).
HIGHP - Page 1 of 50
,1. Which fixative is preferred for preserving nucleic acids for molecular testing while
maintaining acceptable histomorphology?
[ ] A. 10% neutral buffered formalin
[ ] B. Bouin's fluid
[ ] C. Zenker's fixative
[ ] D. Carnoy's solution
CORRECT: A. 10% neutral buffered formalin
10% neutral buffered formalin is the standard fixative that preserves both morphology and nucleic acid
integrity for molecular assays. Bouin's, Zenker's, and Carnoy's contain acids or heavy metals that degrade
DNA/RNA and are not suitable for molecular testing.
2. During microtomy, sections exhibit alternating thick and thin areas, and the block
surface appears ridged. What is the most likely cause?
[ ] A. Blunt blade
[ ] B. Excessive block trimming
[ ] C. Incorrect clearance angle
[ ] D. Static electricity
CORRECT: C. Incorrect clearance angle
An incorrect clearance angle between the blade and block can cause uneven compression and ridging,
leading to alternating section thickness. A blunt blade typically produces splits or holes, while static electricity
causes sections to stick or curl.
3. In immunohistochemistry, which antigen retrieval method is most appropriate for a
formalin-fixed tissue section when using an antibody that recognizes a formalin-sensitive
epitope?
[ ] A. Enzymatic digestion with trypsin
[ ] B. Heat-induced epitope retrieval (HIER) with citrate buffer, pH 6.0
[ ] C. No retrieval needed
[ ] D. Prolonged fixation in formalin
CORRECT: B. Heat-induced epitope retrieval (HIER) with citrate buffer, pH 6.0
HIER with citrate buffer (pH 6.0) is commonly used to unmask formalin-sensitive epitopes by breaking
cross-links. Enzymatic digestion may be too harsh or insufficient, and no retrieval or prolonged fixation would
further mask the epitope.
4. A frozen section is requested for a skin lesion. Which embedding medium is most
suitable for freezing and sectioning?
[ ] A. Paraffin wax
HIGHP - Page 2 of 50
, [ ] B. OCT compound
[ ] C. Agar
[ ] D. Gelatin
CORRECT: B. OCT compound
OCT (optimal cutting temperature) compound is water-soluble and supports freezing and cryosectioning of
fresh tissue. Paraffin requires processing, while agar and gelatin are not ideal for frozen sections.
5. When performing a PAS stain, which component is essential for demonstrating
glycogen and basement membranes?
[ ] A. Periodic acid and Schiff reagent
[ ] B. Alcian blue and nuclear fast red
[ ] C. Congo red and hematoxylin
[ ] D. Prussian blue and eosin
CORRECT: A. Periodic acid and Schiff reagent
The PAS stain uses periodic acid to oxidize vicinal diols, followed by Schiff reagent to form a magenta
complex, highlighting glycogen and basement membranes. Alcian blue stains mucins, Congo red stains
amyloid, and Prussian blue stains iron.
6. Which quality control measure is required for immunohistochemistry to ensure
accurate results?
[ ] A. Using only fresh reagents
[ ] B. Including positive and negative tissue controls
[ ] C. Performing the assay at room temperature
[ ] D. Omitting antigen retrieval
CORRECT: B. Including positive and negative tissue controls
Positive and negative tissue controls are essential to validate staining specificity and sensitivity. Fresh
reagents, room temperature, and omitting retrieval do not replace the need for controls and may introduce
variability.
7. Which step in tissue processing is most critical for removing residual water from
specimens before paraffin infiltration?
[ ] A. Dehydration
[ ] B. Clearing
[ ] C. Embedding
[ ] D. Sectioning
HIGHP - Page 3 of 50
, CORRECT: A. Dehydration
Dehydration with graded alcohols removes water, allowing clearing agents to miscibilize with paraffin.
Clearing removes alcohol, embedding supports the tissue, and sectioning is the final cutting step.
8. A laboratory receives a formalin-fixed tissue sample with a formalin pigment artifact.
Which treatment is most appropriate to remove this artifact?
[ ] A. Prolonged washing in water
[ ] B. Treatment with picric acid
[ ] C. Application of ammonium hydroxide
[ ] D. Staining with Prussian blue
CORRECT: C. Application of ammonium hydroxide
Formalin pigment (acid hematin) can be removed by treatment with ammonium hydroxide or alcoholic picric
acid. Prolonged washing does not remove it, and Prussian blue is for iron, not formalin pigment.
9. Which of the following is the correct sequence for handling a needle-stick injury in the
histology laboratory?
[ ] A. Report immediately, wash wound, seek medical evaluation
[ ] B. Wash wound, report immediately, seek medical evaluation
[ ] C. Seek medical evaluation, wash wound, report immediately
[ ] D. Report immediately, seek medical evaluation, wash wound
CORRECT: B. Wash wound, report immediately, seek medical evaluation
Immediate washing of the wound reduces contamination, followed by prompt reporting and medical
evaluation for post-exposure prophylaxis. The other sequences delay critical steps.
10. In a table of staining results, which combination correctly matches the stain with its
primary target?
[ ] A. Reticulin fibers
[ ] B. Amyloid
[ ] C. Iron
[ ] D. Mucin
CORRECT: A. Reticulin fibers
Reticulin stain highlights reticulin fibers, Congo red binds amyloid, Prussian blue detects iron, Alcian blue
stains mucin, and PAS stains glycogen and basement membranes. The table aligns each stain with its
specific target.
HIGHP - Page 4 of 50
Practice Exam Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales | Instant Download Pdf
Practice Question Bank & Answer Rationale
THIS PACK CONTAINS
150 exam-style multiple-choice questions. Each question includes the correct answer and a complete
rationale for focused revision.
COVERAGE
This practice exam assesses core competencies required for the Connecticut Histotechnologist licensure
examination, covering fixation, processing, embedding, microtomy, staining, immunohistochemistry, laboratory
safety, and quality assurance. Questions emphasize application-level reasoning and current best practices in
anatomic pathology.
STUDY GUIDE
Recommended duration: 2 hours. Passing target: 70% (35/50 correct).
HIGHP - Page 1 of 50
,1. Which fixative is preferred for preserving nucleic acids for molecular testing while
maintaining acceptable histomorphology?
[ ] A. 10% neutral buffered formalin
[ ] B. Bouin's fluid
[ ] C. Zenker's fixative
[ ] D. Carnoy's solution
CORRECT: A. 10% neutral buffered formalin
10% neutral buffered formalin is the standard fixative that preserves both morphology and nucleic acid
integrity for molecular assays. Bouin's, Zenker's, and Carnoy's contain acids or heavy metals that degrade
DNA/RNA and are not suitable for molecular testing.
2. During microtomy, sections exhibit alternating thick and thin areas, and the block
surface appears ridged. What is the most likely cause?
[ ] A. Blunt blade
[ ] B. Excessive block trimming
[ ] C. Incorrect clearance angle
[ ] D. Static electricity
CORRECT: C. Incorrect clearance angle
An incorrect clearance angle between the blade and block can cause uneven compression and ridging,
leading to alternating section thickness. A blunt blade typically produces splits or holes, while static electricity
causes sections to stick or curl.
3. In immunohistochemistry, which antigen retrieval method is most appropriate for a
formalin-fixed tissue section when using an antibody that recognizes a formalin-sensitive
epitope?
[ ] A. Enzymatic digestion with trypsin
[ ] B. Heat-induced epitope retrieval (HIER) with citrate buffer, pH 6.0
[ ] C. No retrieval needed
[ ] D. Prolonged fixation in formalin
CORRECT: B. Heat-induced epitope retrieval (HIER) with citrate buffer, pH 6.0
HIER with citrate buffer (pH 6.0) is commonly used to unmask formalin-sensitive epitopes by breaking
cross-links. Enzymatic digestion may be too harsh or insufficient, and no retrieval or prolonged fixation would
further mask the epitope.
4. A frozen section is requested for a skin lesion. Which embedding medium is most
suitable for freezing and sectioning?
[ ] A. Paraffin wax
HIGHP - Page 2 of 50
, [ ] B. OCT compound
[ ] C. Agar
[ ] D. Gelatin
CORRECT: B. OCT compound
OCT (optimal cutting temperature) compound is water-soluble and supports freezing and cryosectioning of
fresh tissue. Paraffin requires processing, while agar and gelatin are not ideal for frozen sections.
5. When performing a PAS stain, which component is essential for demonstrating
glycogen and basement membranes?
[ ] A. Periodic acid and Schiff reagent
[ ] B. Alcian blue and nuclear fast red
[ ] C. Congo red and hematoxylin
[ ] D. Prussian blue and eosin
CORRECT: A. Periodic acid and Schiff reagent
The PAS stain uses periodic acid to oxidize vicinal diols, followed by Schiff reagent to form a magenta
complex, highlighting glycogen and basement membranes. Alcian blue stains mucins, Congo red stains
amyloid, and Prussian blue stains iron.
6. Which quality control measure is required for immunohistochemistry to ensure
accurate results?
[ ] A. Using only fresh reagents
[ ] B. Including positive and negative tissue controls
[ ] C. Performing the assay at room temperature
[ ] D. Omitting antigen retrieval
CORRECT: B. Including positive and negative tissue controls
Positive and negative tissue controls are essential to validate staining specificity and sensitivity. Fresh
reagents, room temperature, and omitting retrieval do not replace the need for controls and may introduce
variability.
7. Which step in tissue processing is most critical for removing residual water from
specimens before paraffin infiltration?
[ ] A. Dehydration
[ ] B. Clearing
[ ] C. Embedding
[ ] D. Sectioning
HIGHP - Page 3 of 50
, CORRECT: A. Dehydration
Dehydration with graded alcohols removes water, allowing clearing agents to miscibilize with paraffin.
Clearing removes alcohol, embedding supports the tissue, and sectioning is the final cutting step.
8. A laboratory receives a formalin-fixed tissue sample with a formalin pigment artifact.
Which treatment is most appropriate to remove this artifact?
[ ] A. Prolonged washing in water
[ ] B. Treatment with picric acid
[ ] C. Application of ammonium hydroxide
[ ] D. Staining with Prussian blue
CORRECT: C. Application of ammonium hydroxide
Formalin pigment (acid hematin) can be removed by treatment with ammonium hydroxide or alcoholic picric
acid. Prolonged washing does not remove it, and Prussian blue is for iron, not formalin pigment.
9. Which of the following is the correct sequence for handling a needle-stick injury in the
histology laboratory?
[ ] A. Report immediately, wash wound, seek medical evaluation
[ ] B. Wash wound, report immediately, seek medical evaluation
[ ] C. Seek medical evaluation, wash wound, report immediately
[ ] D. Report immediately, seek medical evaluation, wash wound
CORRECT: B. Wash wound, report immediately, seek medical evaluation
Immediate washing of the wound reduces contamination, followed by prompt reporting and medical
evaluation for post-exposure prophylaxis. The other sequences delay critical steps.
10. In a table of staining results, which combination correctly matches the stain with its
primary target?
[ ] A. Reticulin fibers
[ ] B. Amyloid
[ ] C. Iron
[ ] D. Mucin
CORRECT: A. Reticulin fibers
Reticulin stain highlights reticulin fibers, Congo red binds amyloid, Prussian blue detects iron, Alcian blue
stains mucin, and PAS stains glycogen and basement membranes. The table aligns each stain with its
specific target.
HIGHP - Page 4 of 50
