1 | Page
ASCP CG CERTIFICATION QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
What is the best agent to use against mycoplasma? - correct
answer- BM cyclin - a combination of two antibiotics (tiamulin
and minocycline) that effecticely targets mycoplasma growth
For successful harvest, each new batch of hypotonic solution
should be evaluated by: - correct answer- comparing the new
lot to a lot already in use
Colagenase, pronase, and trypsin are: - correct answer-
Proteolytic enzymes - break down tissues into single-cell
suspensions
When harvesting peripheral blood cultures, asceptic technique
no longer matters following incubation with: - correct answer-
Colcemid - mitotic spindle poison that halts cells at metaphase
Samples that arrive at the cytogenetics lab should first be: -
correct answer- Logged in to the system
,2 | Page
Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulates which type of cells into
division? - correct answer- T-cell lymphocytes
To avoid culture failure, monitoring reagents is crucial. When
logging a culture failure, what is the MOST important to
document? - correct answer- Expiration dates of reagents used
Which type of microscope is used when cleaning a CVS
(chorionic villus) sample? - correct answer- Dissection
Which cell type is most problematic if found in a CVS (chorionic
villus) sample? - correct answer- Decidua (maternal tissue)
When looking at a slide under a phase contrast scope and a lot
of cytoplasm is still seen around the mets, what is the most
likely cause? - correct answer- innappropriate slide drying time
What will help prevent microbial contamination and cross
contamination of cultures? - correct answer- Asceptic technique
,3 | Page
When there are not enough mets to complete the study of a
patient/case, what needs to be done next? - correct answer-
prepare additional slides from any remaining sample
When looking at a dropped slide under a phase scope and
mets are very spread out and sparse, what could help fix the
issue? - correct answer- Increading the drying time by using
warm slides
What is true of an inverted microscope? - correct answer- the
objectives are beneath the stage
High-resolution banding is indicated for a possible diagnosis of:
- correct answer- DiGenorge syndrome -- microdeletion of
22q11, also called velocardiofacial syndrome
"velo" - soft palette,
"cardio" - congenital heart defects,
"facial" - unique abnormal facial features, short philtrum (upper
lip indent), tubular nose, wide spread eyes, etc
When verifying if a specimen is appropriate for cytogenetic
analysis, what is the MOST important data to accompany the
specimen? - correct answer- Reason for referral
, 4 | Page
Which type of specimen should be requested for a cytogenetic
analysis for turner syndrome? - correct answer- Heparinized
peripheral blood stored at room temperature
(NOT FROZEN)
A blood sample can be used to study the cytogenetics of a
malignancy only if: - correct answer- Dividing leukemic cells are
present in circulation
All of the cultures in a CO2 incubator failed, what aspects of the
incubator are important to monitor to assess the source of the
problem? - correct answer- Temperature,
CO2 level, and
Humidity level
The most important factor affecting the quality of chromosomes
viewed under a phase contrast scope is: - correct answer- Slide
drying after the cells have been dropped
ASCP CG CERTIFICATION QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
What is the best agent to use against mycoplasma? - correct
answer- BM cyclin - a combination of two antibiotics (tiamulin
and minocycline) that effecticely targets mycoplasma growth
For successful harvest, each new batch of hypotonic solution
should be evaluated by: - correct answer- comparing the new
lot to a lot already in use
Colagenase, pronase, and trypsin are: - correct answer-
Proteolytic enzymes - break down tissues into single-cell
suspensions
When harvesting peripheral blood cultures, asceptic technique
no longer matters following incubation with: - correct answer-
Colcemid - mitotic spindle poison that halts cells at metaphase
Samples that arrive at the cytogenetics lab should first be: -
correct answer- Logged in to the system
,2 | Page
Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulates which type of cells into
division? - correct answer- T-cell lymphocytes
To avoid culture failure, monitoring reagents is crucial. When
logging a culture failure, what is the MOST important to
document? - correct answer- Expiration dates of reagents used
Which type of microscope is used when cleaning a CVS
(chorionic villus) sample? - correct answer- Dissection
Which cell type is most problematic if found in a CVS (chorionic
villus) sample? - correct answer- Decidua (maternal tissue)
When looking at a slide under a phase contrast scope and a lot
of cytoplasm is still seen around the mets, what is the most
likely cause? - correct answer- innappropriate slide drying time
What will help prevent microbial contamination and cross
contamination of cultures? - correct answer- Asceptic technique
,3 | Page
When there are not enough mets to complete the study of a
patient/case, what needs to be done next? - correct answer-
prepare additional slides from any remaining sample
When looking at a dropped slide under a phase scope and
mets are very spread out and sparse, what could help fix the
issue? - correct answer- Increading the drying time by using
warm slides
What is true of an inverted microscope? - correct answer- the
objectives are beneath the stage
High-resolution banding is indicated for a possible diagnosis of:
- correct answer- DiGenorge syndrome -- microdeletion of
22q11, also called velocardiofacial syndrome
"velo" - soft palette,
"cardio" - congenital heart defects,
"facial" - unique abnormal facial features, short philtrum (upper
lip indent), tubular nose, wide spread eyes, etc
When verifying if a specimen is appropriate for cytogenetic
analysis, what is the MOST important data to accompany the
specimen? - correct answer- Reason for referral
, 4 | Page
Which type of specimen should be requested for a cytogenetic
analysis for turner syndrome? - correct answer- Heparinized
peripheral blood stored at room temperature
(NOT FROZEN)
A blood sample can be used to study the cytogenetics of a
malignancy only if: - correct answer- Dividing leukemic cells are
present in circulation
All of the cultures in a CO2 incubator failed, what aspects of the
incubator are important to monitor to assess the source of the
problem? - correct answer- Temperature,
CO2 level, and
Humidity level
The most important factor affecting the quality of chromosomes
viewed under a phase contrast scope is: - correct answer- Slide
drying after the cells have been dropped
