MLPAO Test Prep ~ Histology and
Cytology EXAM With Complete solution
2025/2026
Cytology definition - ANSWERS-Study of cellular changes to diagnose disease
Cytology: Primarily used to diagnose - ANSWERS-Cancer (diagnose and stage)
Cytology: Two types of specimen - ANSWERS-Gynecologic, non-gynecologic
Example of gynecological cytology specimen - ANSWERS-Pap smear (cervical cancer
screen)
Examples of non-gynecological cytology specimens - ANSWERS-Sputum, fine needle
aspirations, urinary (catheters)
Gross (macroscopic) description should include: - ANSWERS-Number of slides
received, volume of the specimen, colour and turbidity of the specimen, arrived fixed or
unfixed, any discrepancies
Direct smear procedure - ANSWERS-Centrifuge, put sample onto one slide, place
second slide on top, pull slides apart, (if pap staining, fix immediately)
Cytocentrifuge is a special type of centrifuge that - ANSWERS-Concentrates cells from
a small amount of specimen
Cytocentrifuge: Specimen travels through an opening where the cells can be placed
______ and the excess fluid is ____ by the filter - ANSWERS-onto the slide, absorbed
Clots are typically processed as a ___ - ANSWERS-Cell block
Histology Definition - ANSWERS-Study of the structure of tissues
Histology: Types of specimens received - ANSWERS-Surgical procedures, biopsies,
autopsies
, Histology: Surgical specimens include - ANSWERS-Whole or part of an organ, cysts,
tumors
Histology: Biopsy specimens include - ANSWERS-Removal of a representative sample
(through needle aspiration, surgery, or endoscopy)
Histology: Autopsy specimens include - ANSWERS-Removal of tissue from a deceased
person (to analyze the cause of death, diagnosis, or for research)
Specimens must be labelled with - ANSWERS-First and last name, DOB, pt address,
Unique ID number, OHIP number, Specimen type, Specimen number
Specimens are assigned a ____ number through LIS - ANSWERS-Surgical
Specimens must have a _______ with them - ANSWERS-requisition
Requisition / on-line request must contain the following - ANSWERS-pt first and last
name, DOB, Unique ID Number, OHIP number, pt Address, pt location, ordering
physician, specimen type, specimen number (if there is more than one specimen)
Specimens arrive in the lab as either a ___ or ____ specimen - ANSWERS-Fixed,
unfixed
What is the first step when dealing with processing histology specimens? - ANSWERS-
Verify patient information of requisition
Act in which components of cells and tissues are fixed in a physical and somewhat
chemical state to endure treatment, avoiding loss, alteration, and decomposition -
ANSWERS-Fixation
Specimens should be placed in a fixative that is ____ the estimated volume of the tissue
- ANSWERS-10-20X
What is considered to be the universal fixative? - ANSWERS-Formalin/formaldehyde
Fixation preserves tissue in a - ANSWERS-lifelike manner
Fixation prevents - ANSWERS-putrefaction and autolysis
Autolysis definition - ANSWERS-Decomposition due to the action of enzymes
Putrefaction definition - ANSWERS-Decomposition due to the action of bacteria
Fixation denatures or precipitates ___ - ANSWERS-Proteins
Fixation: Go through beneficial ___ - ANSWERS-hardening
Cytology EXAM With Complete solution
2025/2026
Cytology definition - ANSWERS-Study of cellular changes to diagnose disease
Cytology: Primarily used to diagnose - ANSWERS-Cancer (diagnose and stage)
Cytology: Two types of specimen - ANSWERS-Gynecologic, non-gynecologic
Example of gynecological cytology specimen - ANSWERS-Pap smear (cervical cancer
screen)
Examples of non-gynecological cytology specimens - ANSWERS-Sputum, fine needle
aspirations, urinary (catheters)
Gross (macroscopic) description should include: - ANSWERS-Number of slides
received, volume of the specimen, colour and turbidity of the specimen, arrived fixed or
unfixed, any discrepancies
Direct smear procedure - ANSWERS-Centrifuge, put sample onto one slide, place
second slide on top, pull slides apart, (if pap staining, fix immediately)
Cytocentrifuge is a special type of centrifuge that - ANSWERS-Concentrates cells from
a small amount of specimen
Cytocentrifuge: Specimen travels through an opening where the cells can be placed
______ and the excess fluid is ____ by the filter - ANSWERS-onto the slide, absorbed
Clots are typically processed as a ___ - ANSWERS-Cell block
Histology Definition - ANSWERS-Study of the structure of tissues
Histology: Types of specimens received - ANSWERS-Surgical procedures, biopsies,
autopsies
, Histology: Surgical specimens include - ANSWERS-Whole or part of an organ, cysts,
tumors
Histology: Biopsy specimens include - ANSWERS-Removal of a representative sample
(through needle aspiration, surgery, or endoscopy)
Histology: Autopsy specimens include - ANSWERS-Removal of tissue from a deceased
person (to analyze the cause of death, diagnosis, or for research)
Specimens must be labelled with - ANSWERS-First and last name, DOB, pt address,
Unique ID number, OHIP number, Specimen type, Specimen number
Specimens are assigned a ____ number through LIS - ANSWERS-Surgical
Specimens must have a _______ with them - ANSWERS-requisition
Requisition / on-line request must contain the following - ANSWERS-pt first and last
name, DOB, Unique ID Number, OHIP number, pt Address, pt location, ordering
physician, specimen type, specimen number (if there is more than one specimen)
Specimens arrive in the lab as either a ___ or ____ specimen - ANSWERS-Fixed,
unfixed
What is the first step when dealing with processing histology specimens? - ANSWERS-
Verify patient information of requisition
Act in which components of cells and tissues are fixed in a physical and somewhat
chemical state to endure treatment, avoiding loss, alteration, and decomposition -
ANSWERS-Fixation
Specimens should be placed in a fixative that is ____ the estimated volume of the tissue
- ANSWERS-10-20X
What is considered to be the universal fixative? - ANSWERS-Formalin/formaldehyde
Fixation preserves tissue in a - ANSWERS-lifelike manner
Fixation prevents - ANSWERS-putrefaction and autolysis
Autolysis definition - ANSWERS-Decomposition due to the action of enzymes
Putrefaction definition - ANSWERS-Decomposition due to the action of bacteria
Fixation denatures or precipitates ___ - ANSWERS-Proteins
Fixation: Go through beneficial ___ - ANSWERS-hardening
