MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN (MLT)
CERTIFICATION EXAM (ASCP) PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the most common anticoagulant used in
hematology for complete blood counts (CBC)?
A. Heparin
B. EDTA
C. Citrate
D. Oxalate
Answer: B. EDTA
EDTA preserves cellular morphology and prevents clotting by chelating
calcium.
2. A patient’s serum shows a total protein of 9.5 g/dL. Which
condition is most likely?
A. Hypoproteinemia
B. Dehydration
C. Liver failure
D. Malnutrition
Answer: B. Dehydration
Dehydration concentrates serum proteins, increasing total protein
levels.
3. What is the primary purpose of a Wright-Giemsa stain?
A. Identify bacteria
,B. Evaluate red blood cell morphology
C. Determine blood glucose
D. Detect parasites
Answer: B. Evaluate red blood cell morphology
Wright-Giemsa stain is used in hematology to assess RBC, WBC, and
platelet morphology.
4. Which test is used to monitor long-term glucose control in diabetic
patients?
A. Fasting glucose
B. Hemoglobin A1c
C. Oral glucose tolerance test
D. Random glucose
Answer: B. Hemoglobin A1c
Hemoglobin A1c reflects average blood glucose over 2–3 months.
5. The presence of rouleaux formation on a peripheral smear is
associated with:
A. Iron deficiency anemia
B. Multiple myeloma
C. Sickle cell anemia
D. Vitamin B12 deficiency
Answer: B. Multiple myeloma
Rouleaux formation occurs due to increased plasma proteins, especially
in multiple myeloma.
6. Which of the following is considered a normal fasting blood glucose
in adults?
A. 50–70 mg/dL
B. 70–100 mg/dL
C. 110–130 mg/dL
D. 140–160 mg/dL
, Answer: B. 70–100 mg/dL
Normal fasting glucose in adults is between 70–100 mg/dL.
7. Which type of white blood cell is primarily responsible for allergic
reactions?
A. Neutrophils
B. Eosinophils
C. Monocytes
D. Lymphocytes
Answer: B. Eosinophils
Eosinophils increase in response to parasitic infections and allergic
reactions.
8. A low platelet count in the blood is termed:
A. Leukopenia
B. Thrombocytopenia
C. Anemia
D. Polycythemia
Answer: B. Thrombocytopenia
Thrombocytopenia refers to decreased platelet count, which increases
bleeding risk.
9. Which tube additive is used for coagulation studies?
A. EDTA
B. Sodium citrate
C. Heparin
D. Potassium oxalate
Answer: B. Sodium citrate
Sodium citrate binds calcium reversibly, making it ideal for coagulation
testing.
10. The primary site of hematopoiesis in adults is:
A. Spleen
CERTIFICATION EXAM (ASCP) PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the most common anticoagulant used in
hematology for complete blood counts (CBC)?
A. Heparin
B. EDTA
C. Citrate
D. Oxalate
Answer: B. EDTA
EDTA preserves cellular morphology and prevents clotting by chelating
calcium.
2. A patient’s serum shows a total protein of 9.5 g/dL. Which
condition is most likely?
A. Hypoproteinemia
B. Dehydration
C. Liver failure
D. Malnutrition
Answer: B. Dehydration
Dehydration concentrates serum proteins, increasing total protein
levels.
3. What is the primary purpose of a Wright-Giemsa stain?
A. Identify bacteria
,B. Evaluate red blood cell morphology
C. Determine blood glucose
D. Detect parasites
Answer: B. Evaluate red blood cell morphology
Wright-Giemsa stain is used in hematology to assess RBC, WBC, and
platelet morphology.
4. Which test is used to monitor long-term glucose control in diabetic
patients?
A. Fasting glucose
B. Hemoglobin A1c
C. Oral glucose tolerance test
D. Random glucose
Answer: B. Hemoglobin A1c
Hemoglobin A1c reflects average blood glucose over 2–3 months.
5. The presence of rouleaux formation on a peripheral smear is
associated with:
A. Iron deficiency anemia
B. Multiple myeloma
C. Sickle cell anemia
D. Vitamin B12 deficiency
Answer: B. Multiple myeloma
Rouleaux formation occurs due to increased plasma proteins, especially
in multiple myeloma.
6. Which of the following is considered a normal fasting blood glucose
in adults?
A. 50–70 mg/dL
B. 70–100 mg/dL
C. 110–130 mg/dL
D. 140–160 mg/dL
, Answer: B. 70–100 mg/dL
Normal fasting glucose in adults is between 70–100 mg/dL.
7. Which type of white blood cell is primarily responsible for allergic
reactions?
A. Neutrophils
B. Eosinophils
C. Monocytes
D. Lymphocytes
Answer: B. Eosinophils
Eosinophils increase in response to parasitic infections and allergic
reactions.
8. A low platelet count in the blood is termed:
A. Leukopenia
B. Thrombocytopenia
C. Anemia
D. Polycythemia
Answer: B. Thrombocytopenia
Thrombocytopenia refers to decreased platelet count, which increases
bleeding risk.
9. Which tube additive is used for coagulation studies?
A. EDTA
B. Sodium citrate
C. Heparin
D. Potassium oxalate
Answer: B. Sodium citrate
Sodium citrate binds calcium reversibly, making it ideal for coagulation
testing.
10. The primary site of hematopoiesis in adults is:
A. Spleen
