MLPAO Test Prep ~ Hematology Exam
2026 Questions and Answers
What does CBC stand for? - Correct answer-Complete Blood Count
What are the formed elements of blood? - Correct answer-WBC, RBC, and
Platelets
EDTA Anticoagulant - Correct answer-Maintains cell shape and size and prevents
blood from clotting by binding to calcium
Heparin Anticoagulant - Correct answer-Initiates cell clumping and provides blue
background staining
Citrate Anticoagulant - Correct answer-Dilutes the blood due to the volume of the
liquid and is used for platelet count only
CBC handling and storage: Refrigerate at __ᵒC until testing - Correct answer-4
CBC handling and storage: When transporting to other labs/hospitals - Correct
answer-surround with ice packs
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,CBC handling and storage: Samples are _____ before testing - Correct answer-
mixed well by inversion
CBC handling and storage: Samples must be tested within __ - Correct answer-24h
CBC handling and storage: Peripheral blood smears must be made within - Correct
answer-24h
CBC handling and storage: Samples kept for longer than ___ = CANNOT BE
USED FOR TESTING - Correct answer-24h
What happens if CBC is tested after 24h? - Correct answer-Platelets clump, WBC
nuclei disintegrate, WBC cytoplasm contain dark granules and Vacuoles, and
RBCs swell and break down
Coagulation: Specimen of choice? - Correct answer-Plasma
Coagulation: What colour tube? What is the additive? - Correct answer-light blue,
sodium citrate
Sodium Citrate binds to ___ preventing ____ - Correct answer-calcium,
coagulation
Sodium Citrate tube must be - Correct answer-filled to the maximum draw capacity
Coagulation: Document if patient on - Correct answer-anticoagulant therapy or
aspirin
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, Handling and Storage of Coagulation samples: Preparation requirements - Correct
answer-Centrifuge and separate
Handling and Storage of Coagulation samples: ____ plasma if not tested within
___ of arrival - Correct answer-Freeze, 4h
Coagulation samples: Some clotting factors are considered to be - Correct answer-
highly labile (destroyed at room temperature)
What are the three methods of Peripheral blood smears (PBS)? - Correct answer-
Wedge method (manual), Spun method (automated slide spinner), and automated
method (analyzer)
Thickness of film: HEMOGLOBIN/HEMATOCRIT INCREASED = angle of the
spreader slide ___ - Correct answer-Decreased
Sodium Citrate tubes should be drawn ___ except when blood cultures are ordered.
- Correct answer-First
Thickness of film: HEMOGLOBIN/HEMATOCRIT DECREASED = angle of the
spreader slide ___ - Correct answer-Increased
HCT Values: Male, Female - Correct answer-0.40-0.50, 0.35-0.59
Good blood film should be ___ to ___ the length of the slide - Correct answer-2/3,
¾
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2026 Questions and Answers
What does CBC stand for? - Correct answer-Complete Blood Count
What are the formed elements of blood? - Correct answer-WBC, RBC, and
Platelets
EDTA Anticoagulant - Correct answer-Maintains cell shape and size and prevents
blood from clotting by binding to calcium
Heparin Anticoagulant - Correct answer-Initiates cell clumping and provides blue
background staining
Citrate Anticoagulant - Correct answer-Dilutes the blood due to the volume of the
liquid and is used for platelet count only
CBC handling and storage: Refrigerate at __ᵒC until testing - Correct answer-4
CBC handling and storage: When transporting to other labs/hospitals - Correct
answer-surround with ice packs
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,CBC handling and storage: Samples are _____ before testing - Correct answer-
mixed well by inversion
CBC handling and storage: Samples must be tested within __ - Correct answer-24h
CBC handling and storage: Peripheral blood smears must be made within - Correct
answer-24h
CBC handling and storage: Samples kept for longer than ___ = CANNOT BE
USED FOR TESTING - Correct answer-24h
What happens if CBC is tested after 24h? - Correct answer-Platelets clump, WBC
nuclei disintegrate, WBC cytoplasm contain dark granules and Vacuoles, and
RBCs swell and break down
Coagulation: Specimen of choice? - Correct answer-Plasma
Coagulation: What colour tube? What is the additive? - Correct answer-light blue,
sodium citrate
Sodium Citrate binds to ___ preventing ____ - Correct answer-calcium,
coagulation
Sodium Citrate tube must be - Correct answer-filled to the maximum draw capacity
Coagulation: Document if patient on - Correct answer-anticoagulant therapy or
aspirin
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, Handling and Storage of Coagulation samples: Preparation requirements - Correct
answer-Centrifuge and separate
Handling and Storage of Coagulation samples: ____ plasma if not tested within
___ of arrival - Correct answer-Freeze, 4h
Coagulation samples: Some clotting factors are considered to be - Correct answer-
highly labile (destroyed at room temperature)
What are the three methods of Peripheral blood smears (PBS)? - Correct answer-
Wedge method (manual), Spun method (automated slide spinner), and automated
method (analyzer)
Thickness of film: HEMOGLOBIN/HEMATOCRIT INCREASED = angle of the
spreader slide ___ - Correct answer-Decreased
Sodium Citrate tubes should be drawn ___ except when blood cultures are ordered.
- Correct answer-First
Thickness of film: HEMOGLOBIN/HEMATOCRIT DECREASED = angle of the
spreader slide ___ - Correct answer-Increased
HCT Values: Male, Female - Correct answer-0.40-0.50, 0.35-0.59
Good blood film should be ___ to ___ the length of the slide - Correct answer-2/3,
¾
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
