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ASCP MLS LATEST(2 DIFFERENT
VERSIONS) EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
VERSION 1
What feature is most often found with patients with a splenectomy on a Wright's
stained blood smear? - ANSWER- Howell-Jolly bodies
Patients with antibody to the following antigen are immune to Hepatitis B: -
ANSWER- Surface antigen (HbSAg)
Which two of the following tests are helpful for documenting previous
Streptococcal throat and skin infections: - ANSWER- ASO titer and Anti-DNase B
In mass spectrometry, the "appearance potential" is defined as the: - ANSWER-
Minimum energy required for the appearance of a particular fragment ion in mass
spectrum
What is generally accepted as the lower threshold value for semen pH from fertile
males? - ANSWER- 7.2
Coulometry: - ANSWER- An automated method for measuring chloride which
generates silver ions in the reaction
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Erythroleukemia: - ANSWER- Also known as Acute Myelogenous Leukemia type
M6. This type is associated with either the presence of both erythroid and myeloid
precursors OR strictly erythroid precursors.
Myelomonocytic leukemia - ANSWER- Is associated with an increase in myeloid
and monocytic cell precursors, but not red blood cell precursors
Species that are Lysine (+), arginine (=) and ornithine (+): - ANSWER-
Enterobacter aerogenes, Edward Siella species and most Serratia species
Lysine reaction for all Citrobacter: - ANSWER- Negative
Key identifying characteristic for Pantoa (Enterobacter) agglomerans: - ANSWER-
negative reactions for the three decarboxylases commonly tested ( Lysine, arginine
and ornithine)
Which organism is MOST likely responsible for septic reactions associated with
Red Blood Cell transfusions? - ANSWER- Yersinia enterocolitica is most likely
responsible for septic reactions in transfusions of Red Blood Cells. This organism
is usually acquired by ingestion of contaminated food and causes mild symptoms
of abdominal pain and diarrhea. Growth of Y. enterocolitica is enhanced in iron-
rich environments such as red cell components.
Gaucher's disease - ANSWER- The most common lysosomal storage disease
caused by insufficient activity of the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase that
leads to the deposition of glucocerebroside in cells of the macrophage-monocyte
system.
Diseases associated with dysfunctions of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) -
ANSWER- Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CH), Chronic granulomatous disease
(CGD), Myeloperoxidase deficiency (MPO)
Nephrotic Syndrome: - ANSWER- Caused by damage to the kidneys, especially
the basement membrane of the glomerulus; which causes abnormal excretion of
protein and red blood cells in the urine. Fats are also present in the urine in most
cases. A foamy appearance of the urine is a key characteristic of this condition.
Clinical symptoms include:
Swelling
Weight gain from fluid retention
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Poor appetite
High blood pressure
Key Biochemical reactions for Enterobacteriaceae: - ANSWER- The key
biochemical reactions by which the family Enterobacteriaceae can be identified
include fermentation of carbohydrates, reduction of nitrates to nitrites and the
absence of cytochrome oxidase activity.
Prozone effect: - ANSWER- Results in a false positive reaction; is the result of
antibody excess and dilution of antibody can help prevent its occurrence
Purpose of a bi-chromatic analyzer with dual wavelengths is: - ANSWER-
Minimize the effect of interference
Key characteristics of Micrococcus: - ANSWER- Susceptible to bacitracin ("A")
and resistant to furazolidone; gram positive cocci in tetras, bacteria cells of
micrococcus luteus are larger than those of the staphylococci and can arrange in
tetras
What is the glomerular filtration rate for a patient with a serum creatinine of 2
mg/dL, if the urine creatinine was 124 mg/dL and the urine volume was 2.2 L/24
hrs? - ANSWER- 95 mL/min
One method of calculating a glomerular filtration rate is using creatinine and urine
volume to determine creatinine clearance. The equation is as follows:
Creatinine Clearance = (urine creatinine X urine flow rate) / plasma creatinine;
where urine flow rate = volume in mL /24 hours x h/60 min)
In this case = creatinine clearance = 124 X (2200/24 x hour/60) / 2 = 94.7 or 95
ml/min
Estrogen and progesterone markers are most commonly used to provide prognostic
information about: - ANSWER- Breast cancer
The prozone effect ( when performing a screening titer) is most likely to result in: -
ANSWER- Prozone effect (due to antibody excess) will result in an initial false
negative in spite of the large amount of antibody in the serum, followed by a
positive result as the specimen is diluted.
ASCP MLS LATEST(2 DIFFERENT
VERSIONS) EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
VERSION 1
What feature is most often found with patients with a splenectomy on a Wright's
stained blood smear? - ANSWER- Howell-Jolly bodies
Patients with antibody to the following antigen are immune to Hepatitis B: -
ANSWER- Surface antigen (HbSAg)
Which two of the following tests are helpful for documenting previous
Streptococcal throat and skin infections: - ANSWER- ASO titer and Anti-DNase B
In mass spectrometry, the "appearance potential" is defined as the: - ANSWER-
Minimum energy required for the appearance of a particular fragment ion in mass
spectrum
What is generally accepted as the lower threshold value for semen pH from fertile
males? - ANSWER- 7.2
Coulometry: - ANSWER- An automated method for measuring chloride which
generates silver ions in the reaction
,2|Page
Erythroleukemia: - ANSWER- Also known as Acute Myelogenous Leukemia type
M6. This type is associated with either the presence of both erythroid and myeloid
precursors OR strictly erythroid precursors.
Myelomonocytic leukemia - ANSWER- Is associated with an increase in myeloid
and monocytic cell precursors, but not red blood cell precursors
Species that are Lysine (+), arginine (=) and ornithine (+): - ANSWER-
Enterobacter aerogenes, Edward Siella species and most Serratia species
Lysine reaction for all Citrobacter: - ANSWER- Negative
Key identifying characteristic for Pantoa (Enterobacter) agglomerans: - ANSWER-
negative reactions for the three decarboxylases commonly tested ( Lysine, arginine
and ornithine)
Which organism is MOST likely responsible for septic reactions associated with
Red Blood Cell transfusions? - ANSWER- Yersinia enterocolitica is most likely
responsible for septic reactions in transfusions of Red Blood Cells. This organism
is usually acquired by ingestion of contaminated food and causes mild symptoms
of abdominal pain and diarrhea. Growth of Y. enterocolitica is enhanced in iron-
rich environments such as red cell components.
Gaucher's disease - ANSWER- The most common lysosomal storage disease
caused by insufficient activity of the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase that
leads to the deposition of glucocerebroside in cells of the macrophage-monocyte
system.
Diseases associated with dysfunctions of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) -
ANSWER- Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CH), Chronic granulomatous disease
(CGD), Myeloperoxidase deficiency (MPO)
Nephrotic Syndrome: - ANSWER- Caused by damage to the kidneys, especially
the basement membrane of the glomerulus; which causes abnormal excretion of
protein and red blood cells in the urine. Fats are also present in the urine in most
cases. A foamy appearance of the urine is a key characteristic of this condition.
Clinical symptoms include:
Swelling
Weight gain from fluid retention
, 3|Page
Poor appetite
High blood pressure
Key Biochemical reactions for Enterobacteriaceae: - ANSWER- The key
biochemical reactions by which the family Enterobacteriaceae can be identified
include fermentation of carbohydrates, reduction of nitrates to nitrites and the
absence of cytochrome oxidase activity.
Prozone effect: - ANSWER- Results in a false positive reaction; is the result of
antibody excess and dilution of antibody can help prevent its occurrence
Purpose of a bi-chromatic analyzer with dual wavelengths is: - ANSWER-
Minimize the effect of interference
Key characteristics of Micrococcus: - ANSWER- Susceptible to bacitracin ("A")
and resistant to furazolidone; gram positive cocci in tetras, bacteria cells of
micrococcus luteus are larger than those of the staphylococci and can arrange in
tetras
What is the glomerular filtration rate for a patient with a serum creatinine of 2
mg/dL, if the urine creatinine was 124 mg/dL and the urine volume was 2.2 L/24
hrs? - ANSWER- 95 mL/min
One method of calculating a glomerular filtration rate is using creatinine and urine
volume to determine creatinine clearance. The equation is as follows:
Creatinine Clearance = (urine creatinine X urine flow rate) / plasma creatinine;
where urine flow rate = volume in mL /24 hours x h/60 min)
In this case = creatinine clearance = 124 X (2200/24 x hour/60) / 2 = 94.7 or 95
ml/min
Estrogen and progesterone markers are most commonly used to provide prognostic
information about: - ANSWER- Breast cancer
The prozone effect ( when performing a screening titer) is most likely to result in: -
ANSWER- Prozone effect (due to antibody excess) will result in an initial false
negative in spite of the large amount of antibody in the serum, followed by a
positive result as the specimen is diluted.
