ASCP CG ACTUAL EXAM AND
CERTIFICATION PRACTICE EXAM
LATEST EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
|ALREADY GRADED A+
(Classic Cytogenetics)
What type of stained chromosome would produce a better computer image? -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- Lightly stained chromosomes (best contrast and can
be digitally edited easier)
What is the nomenclature on a patient with down syndrome referred for a
hematologic disorder where only trisomy 21 was found? - CORRECT ANSWER
✔✔- 47,XY,+21c[20]
24 hours after culture initiation, a single dish from an amniotic fluid turns cloudy.
Which cultures should be disposed? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- The single
cloudy dish only
What is used to reduce mycoplasma contamination? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔-
BM cycline
CLIA '88 stipulates that equipment must be recalibrated ____ ? - CORRECT
ANSWER ✔✔- After a major repair to ensure still operational
1|Page
,How should caustic and corrosive chemicals be stored? - CORRECT ANSWER
✔✔- Both should be stored in a nonflammable cabinet
What factors would contribute to ALL cultures failing in a CO2 incubator? -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- Temperature
CO2 level
Humidity level
What is the modal number for a diploid karyotype and an additional CBG negative
marker chromosome? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- 46
CBG = c-bands achieved with barium with Giemsa stain
CBG negative referrs to not having a centromere, which is crucial to being
included in the modal number, so this extra fragment does not have a centromere
and is not counted towards the total
What is included when recording the modal number? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔-
Mar - a marker chromosome is included because it has a centromere
What is the BEST way to avoid producing ghost-like, pale chromosomes while
staining? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- Decrease trypsin time
In order to ensure successful harvest, each new batch of hypotonic solution should
be evaluated ____. - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- By comparing new hypotonic
solution to that already in use
Which cell type would you want to use for long term serial cytogenetic studies? -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- Fibroblast cells
2|Page
,What is not a necessary (must be added) ingredient which is added to modified
medium? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- Antibiotics
What chemical is used for cryopreservation? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔-
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
You are analyzing a clinical case and discover a small extra marker with satellites.
What staining technique would be most useful in determining the chromosomal
origin of this marker? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- NOR
When using a fluorescein dye (yellow-green) labeled probe during the FISH
procedure, which counterstain should be used? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔-
Propidium iodide (red)
A bone marrow sample collected in transport medium is leaking into the sealed
plastic bag in which it was transported. The technologist should_______. -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- Clean up the tube while wearing gloves
A laboratory' quality assurance program includes _______________. - CORRECT
ANSWER ✔✔- Proficiency testing
All of the following chromosomes have dark bands on chromosome regions that
can be used as indicators when preparing the best image: - CORRECT ANSWER
✔✔- Chromosome 11p
Chromosome 12q
Chromosome 17q
3|Page
, The morning after being set-up, a single dish of an amniotic fluid culture turns
cloudy and appears contaminated. None of the other cultures set-up that day
appears contaminated. What should be done first? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔-
Harvest the culture as soon as possible
When the addition of nonhomologous material to the q-arm of chromosome 16 is
suspected after G-banding, what banding technique should be used? - CORRECT
ANSWER ✔✔- C-banding
What chromosome is most different between C- and G-banding? - CORRECT
ANSWER ✔✔- Chromosome 9
What chromosome region does quinacrine and acridine orange dyes stain? -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- AT rich DNA
Under an electron microscope, what is observed as a consequence of all banding
procedures? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- Chromosomal collapse
Case #777 has an uncertain diagnosis after G and C bands. The director suspects
satellites are involved with the chrom marker in question. What banding/stain
should be used to confirm satellites are in question? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔-
NOR banding
What procedure should be performed first if sequential banding is required? -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- Q-banding
A tech suspects an inversion of chrom 9 with G-banding analysis. What banding
technique would confirm this? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- C-banding
4|Page
CERTIFICATION PRACTICE EXAM
LATEST EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
|ALREADY GRADED A+
(Classic Cytogenetics)
What type of stained chromosome would produce a better computer image? -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- Lightly stained chromosomes (best contrast and can
be digitally edited easier)
What is the nomenclature on a patient with down syndrome referred for a
hematologic disorder where only trisomy 21 was found? - CORRECT ANSWER
✔✔- 47,XY,+21c[20]
24 hours after culture initiation, a single dish from an amniotic fluid turns cloudy.
Which cultures should be disposed? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- The single
cloudy dish only
What is used to reduce mycoplasma contamination? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔-
BM cycline
CLIA '88 stipulates that equipment must be recalibrated ____ ? - CORRECT
ANSWER ✔✔- After a major repair to ensure still operational
1|Page
,How should caustic and corrosive chemicals be stored? - CORRECT ANSWER
✔✔- Both should be stored in a nonflammable cabinet
What factors would contribute to ALL cultures failing in a CO2 incubator? -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- Temperature
CO2 level
Humidity level
What is the modal number for a diploid karyotype and an additional CBG negative
marker chromosome? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- 46
CBG = c-bands achieved with barium with Giemsa stain
CBG negative referrs to not having a centromere, which is crucial to being
included in the modal number, so this extra fragment does not have a centromere
and is not counted towards the total
What is included when recording the modal number? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔-
Mar - a marker chromosome is included because it has a centromere
What is the BEST way to avoid producing ghost-like, pale chromosomes while
staining? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- Decrease trypsin time
In order to ensure successful harvest, each new batch of hypotonic solution should
be evaluated ____. - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- By comparing new hypotonic
solution to that already in use
Which cell type would you want to use for long term serial cytogenetic studies? -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- Fibroblast cells
2|Page
,What is not a necessary (must be added) ingredient which is added to modified
medium? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- Antibiotics
What chemical is used for cryopreservation? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔-
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
You are analyzing a clinical case and discover a small extra marker with satellites.
What staining technique would be most useful in determining the chromosomal
origin of this marker? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- NOR
When using a fluorescein dye (yellow-green) labeled probe during the FISH
procedure, which counterstain should be used? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔-
Propidium iodide (red)
A bone marrow sample collected in transport medium is leaking into the sealed
plastic bag in which it was transported. The technologist should_______. -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- Clean up the tube while wearing gloves
A laboratory' quality assurance program includes _______________. - CORRECT
ANSWER ✔✔- Proficiency testing
All of the following chromosomes have dark bands on chromosome regions that
can be used as indicators when preparing the best image: - CORRECT ANSWER
✔✔- Chromosome 11p
Chromosome 12q
Chromosome 17q
3|Page
, The morning after being set-up, a single dish of an amniotic fluid culture turns
cloudy and appears contaminated. None of the other cultures set-up that day
appears contaminated. What should be done first? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔-
Harvest the culture as soon as possible
When the addition of nonhomologous material to the q-arm of chromosome 16 is
suspected after G-banding, what banding technique should be used? - CORRECT
ANSWER ✔✔- C-banding
What chromosome is most different between C- and G-banding? - CORRECT
ANSWER ✔✔- Chromosome 9
What chromosome region does quinacrine and acridine orange dyes stain? -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- AT rich DNA
Under an electron microscope, what is observed as a consequence of all banding
procedures? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- Chromosomal collapse
Case #777 has an uncertain diagnosis after G and C bands. The director suspects
satellites are involved with the chrom marker in question. What banding/stain
should be used to confirm satellites are in question? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔-
NOR banding
What procedure should be performed first if sequential banding is required? -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- Q-banding
A tech suspects an inversion of chrom 9 with G-banding analysis. What banding
technique would confirm this? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- C-banding
4|Page
