ASCP CG CERTIFICATION PRACTICE | 2025/2026
UPDATE | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTION
What is the best agent to use against mycoplasma? 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: Answer - comparing the new lot to a lot already in use
Colagenase, pronase, and trypsin are: Answer - Proteolytic enzymes - break
down tissues into single-cell suspensions
When harvesting peripheral blood cultures, asceptic technique no longer
matters following incubation with: Answer - Colcemid - mitotic spindle poison
that halts cells at metaphase
Samples that arrive at the cytogenetics lab should first be: Answer - Logged in
to the system
Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulates which type of cells into division? Answer
- T-cell lymphocytes
To avoid culture failure, monitoring reagents is crucial. When logging a culture
failure, what is the MOST important to document? Answer - Expiration dates
of reagents used
,Which type of microscope is used when cleaning a CVS (chorionic villus)
sample? Answer - Dissection
Which cell type is most problematic if found in a CVS (chorionic villus) sample?
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? Answer -
innappropriate slide drying time
What will help prevent microbial contamination and cross contamination of
cultures? Answer - Asceptic technique
When there are not enough mets to complete the study of a patient/case,
what needs to be done next? 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? Answer - Increading the drying
time by using warm slides
What is true of an inverted microscope? Answer - the objectives are beneath
the stage
High-resolution banding is indicated for a possible diagnosis of: 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? Answer - Reason for
referral
Which type of specimen should be requested for a cytogenetic analysis for
turner syndrome? 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:
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? Answer -
Temperature,
CO2 level, and
Humidity level
The most important factor affecting the quality of chromosomes viewed under
a phase contrast scope is: Answer - Slide drying after the cells have been
dropped
What is the modal number (default number of chromosomes in a cell) for a
Down syndrome translocation carrier? Answer - 45
UPDATE | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTION
What is the best agent to use against mycoplasma? 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: Answer - comparing the new lot to a lot already in use
Colagenase, pronase, and trypsin are: Answer - Proteolytic enzymes - break
down tissues into single-cell suspensions
When harvesting peripheral blood cultures, asceptic technique no longer
matters following incubation with: Answer - Colcemid - mitotic spindle poison
that halts cells at metaphase
Samples that arrive at the cytogenetics lab should first be: Answer - Logged in
to the system
Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulates which type of cells into division? Answer
- T-cell lymphocytes
To avoid culture failure, monitoring reagents is crucial. When logging a culture
failure, what is the MOST important to document? Answer - Expiration dates
of reagents used
,Which type of microscope is used when cleaning a CVS (chorionic villus)
sample? Answer - Dissection
Which cell type is most problematic if found in a CVS (chorionic villus) sample?
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? Answer -
innappropriate slide drying time
What will help prevent microbial contamination and cross contamination of
cultures? Answer - Asceptic technique
When there are not enough mets to complete the study of a patient/case,
what needs to be done next? 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? Answer - Increading the drying
time by using warm slides
What is true of an inverted microscope? Answer - the objectives are beneath
the stage
High-resolution banding is indicated for a possible diagnosis of: 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? Answer - Reason for
referral
Which type of specimen should be requested for a cytogenetic analysis for
turner syndrome? 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:
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? Answer -
Temperature,
CO2 level, and
Humidity level
The most important factor affecting the quality of chromosomes viewed under
a phase contrast scope is: Answer - Slide drying after the cells have been
dropped
What is the modal number (default number of chromosomes in a cell) for a
Down syndrome translocation carrier? Answer - 45
