ASCP BOARD OF CERTIFICATION MLT EXAM REVIEW
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS 2026
Nephelometry is based on the principle of: - CORRECT ANSWER -
Turbidity resulting from specific antigen-
coated latex particles agglutinated by corresponding antibody
Which of the following can cause hemolysis and perhaps result in recollection of the specimen? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Pushing the plunger of a syringe when transferring blood into vacuum tubes.
A manual white blood cell count was performed by the hematology technologist. The cell counts for
both sides were 99 and 164, respectively. All nine large squares were counted on each side. The di
lution for this kit was pre-
measured at 1:100. What should the technologist report as the white cell count? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Cannot report
When comparing the white cell counts from one side of the hemacytometer to the other, there is n
ot good duplication. Cell counts from opposite sides of the hemacytometer (within the same patient
sample) that are greater than 10% of one another are considered discrepant and should not be us
ed to calculate reportable results. This particular count should not be used to report patient results.
The RBC inclusions shown in the photograph represent which of the following? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Howell-Jolly bodies
Howell-
Jolly bodies are usually single, round, and tend to be positioned at the periphery of the red blood c
ell. These inclusions are rarely found on a routine peripheral blood smear, as they are usually remo
ved by a functioning spleen. Howell-
Jolly bodies appear in megaloblastic anemias and after splenectomy.
Which of the following tests would be employed in order to detect neural tube defects? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Alpha fetoprotein
Alpha-
fetoprotein is a protein measured in pregnant women, using maternal blood or amniotic fluid, as a
screening test for a subset developmental abnormalities: it is principally increased in open neural tu
be defects and decreased in Down syndrome.
,A patient has the following serum results:
Na = 130 mEq/LK = 4.9 mEq/LCl = 107 mEq/LGlucose = 300 mg/dLBUN = 18 mg/dLCreatinine = 1.1
mg/dL
Which osmolality result is consistent with these results?. - CORRECT ANSWER -281 mosmol/kg
Osmolality = 2 x Na + [Glucose (mg/dL) / 20] + [BUN (mg/dL)/ 3]
A liquid ion-exchange membrane electrode using the antibiotic valinomycin is MOST selective for: -
CORRECT ANSWER -Potassium
The valinomycin membrane electrode is most selective for potassium as opposed to sodium, glucose
, or chloride which utilize different membranes for their respective electrodes. Valinomycin, which is
neutral in charge, has been incorporated into organic liquid membranes resulting in a sensor with
a very high selectivity for potassium.
What should safety management start with in order to ensure clarity and consistency? -
CORRECT ANSWER -A written safety policy
Which of the following statements about high-frequency antigens is correct? - CORRECT ANSWER -
High-frequency antigens are common, but it is difficult to identify their corresponding antibodies.
An adult's plasma cortisol of 22 µg/dL at 8:00 a.m. and 10 µg/dL at 4:00 p.m. would be: -
CORRECT ANSWER -Found in a healthy individual
Normal levels: 5-23 µg/dL at 8:00 a.m.
3-16 µg/dL at 4:00 p.m.
<50% of 8:00 a.m. values at 8:00 p.m.
A peripheral smear demonstrates a population of red cells that are mostly 5 -
5.5 µm in diameter. The CBC data shows RDW of 13% (reference range 11.5-
14.5%). Which of the following morphologies is consistent with these findings? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Microcytosis, low variation of cell volume
, Select the primary reagent components used in the Jaffe reaction for creatinine. -
CORRECT ANSWER -Saturated picric acid and sodium hydroxide
Which of the following are markers currently used to differentiate heart failure from lung disease? -
CORRECT ANSWER -BNP and NT-proBNP
Which of the following is a selective medium for Campylobacter jejuni? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Skirrow agar
Which Lewis antigen(s) would be detected when phenotyping the red cells of an adult who has the
Le, Se, and H genes? - CORRECT ANSWER -Leb
The Se gene codes for the enzyme, a-2-L-fucosyltransferase, which adds L-
fucose to the type 1 precursor H (type 1). The Le gene codes for another L-
fucose which forms the Leb antigen.
Illustrated in the top photograph are acid-fast bacilli as they may appear in acid-
fast stains prepared from a direct mount of infected tissue. These acid fast bacilli are thin, slightly c
urved, red-
pigmented and beaded. The acid fast bacilli, as illustrated in the bottom photograph, aggregate in s
erpentine chords in stained mounts prepared from colonies growing on agar. From these observatio
ns, select the presumptive identification of this mycobacterium. - CORRECT ANSWER -
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
The predominant cells seen on the CSF smear in this illustration are indicative of: -
CORRECT ANSWER -Bacterial meningitis
A newborn presents with neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia. What is the most likely cause of
this condition? - CORRECT ANSWER -Maternal antibodies to neonatal platelet antigens
A lipid panel consists of which of the following tests? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Cholesterol, Lipoprotein, HDL, Triglycerides
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS 2026
Nephelometry is based on the principle of: - CORRECT ANSWER -
Turbidity resulting from specific antigen-
coated latex particles agglutinated by corresponding antibody
Which of the following can cause hemolysis and perhaps result in recollection of the specimen? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Pushing the plunger of a syringe when transferring blood into vacuum tubes.
A manual white blood cell count was performed by the hematology technologist. The cell counts for
both sides were 99 and 164, respectively. All nine large squares were counted on each side. The di
lution for this kit was pre-
measured at 1:100. What should the technologist report as the white cell count? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Cannot report
When comparing the white cell counts from one side of the hemacytometer to the other, there is n
ot good duplication. Cell counts from opposite sides of the hemacytometer (within the same patient
sample) that are greater than 10% of one another are considered discrepant and should not be us
ed to calculate reportable results. This particular count should not be used to report patient results.
The RBC inclusions shown in the photograph represent which of the following? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Howell-Jolly bodies
Howell-
Jolly bodies are usually single, round, and tend to be positioned at the periphery of the red blood c
ell. These inclusions are rarely found on a routine peripheral blood smear, as they are usually remo
ved by a functioning spleen. Howell-
Jolly bodies appear in megaloblastic anemias and after splenectomy.
Which of the following tests would be employed in order to detect neural tube defects? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Alpha fetoprotein
Alpha-
fetoprotein is a protein measured in pregnant women, using maternal blood or amniotic fluid, as a
screening test for a subset developmental abnormalities: it is principally increased in open neural tu
be defects and decreased in Down syndrome.
,A patient has the following serum results:
Na = 130 mEq/LK = 4.9 mEq/LCl = 107 mEq/LGlucose = 300 mg/dLBUN = 18 mg/dLCreatinine = 1.1
mg/dL
Which osmolality result is consistent with these results?. - CORRECT ANSWER -281 mosmol/kg
Osmolality = 2 x Na + [Glucose (mg/dL) / 20] + [BUN (mg/dL)/ 3]
A liquid ion-exchange membrane electrode using the antibiotic valinomycin is MOST selective for: -
CORRECT ANSWER -Potassium
The valinomycin membrane electrode is most selective for potassium as opposed to sodium, glucose
, or chloride which utilize different membranes for their respective electrodes. Valinomycin, which is
neutral in charge, has been incorporated into organic liquid membranes resulting in a sensor with
a very high selectivity for potassium.
What should safety management start with in order to ensure clarity and consistency? -
CORRECT ANSWER -A written safety policy
Which of the following statements about high-frequency antigens is correct? - CORRECT ANSWER -
High-frequency antigens are common, but it is difficult to identify their corresponding antibodies.
An adult's plasma cortisol of 22 µg/dL at 8:00 a.m. and 10 µg/dL at 4:00 p.m. would be: -
CORRECT ANSWER -Found in a healthy individual
Normal levels: 5-23 µg/dL at 8:00 a.m.
3-16 µg/dL at 4:00 p.m.
<50% of 8:00 a.m. values at 8:00 p.m.
A peripheral smear demonstrates a population of red cells that are mostly 5 -
5.5 µm in diameter. The CBC data shows RDW of 13% (reference range 11.5-
14.5%). Which of the following morphologies is consistent with these findings? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Microcytosis, low variation of cell volume
, Select the primary reagent components used in the Jaffe reaction for creatinine. -
CORRECT ANSWER -Saturated picric acid and sodium hydroxide
Which of the following are markers currently used to differentiate heart failure from lung disease? -
CORRECT ANSWER -BNP and NT-proBNP
Which of the following is a selective medium for Campylobacter jejuni? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Skirrow agar
Which Lewis antigen(s) would be detected when phenotyping the red cells of an adult who has the
Le, Se, and H genes? - CORRECT ANSWER -Leb
The Se gene codes for the enzyme, a-2-L-fucosyltransferase, which adds L-
fucose to the type 1 precursor H (type 1). The Le gene codes for another L-
fucose which forms the Leb antigen.
Illustrated in the top photograph are acid-fast bacilli as they may appear in acid-
fast stains prepared from a direct mount of infected tissue. These acid fast bacilli are thin, slightly c
urved, red-
pigmented and beaded. The acid fast bacilli, as illustrated in the bottom photograph, aggregate in s
erpentine chords in stained mounts prepared from colonies growing on agar. From these observatio
ns, select the presumptive identification of this mycobacterium. - CORRECT ANSWER -
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
The predominant cells seen on the CSF smear in this illustration are indicative of: -
CORRECT ANSWER -Bacterial meningitis
A newborn presents with neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia. What is the most likely cause of
this condition? - CORRECT ANSWER -Maternal antibodies to neonatal platelet antigens
A lipid panel consists of which of the following tests? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Cholesterol, Lipoprotein, HDL, Triglycerides
