Medical Laboratory Science -
Hematology Study Questions and
Correct Answers
Insufficient centrifugation will result in:
A. A false increase in hematocrit (Hct) value
B. A false decrease in Hct value
C. No effect on Hct value
D. All of these options, depending on the patient - correct answer: A Insufficient centrifugation
does not pack down the red blood cells; therefore, the Hct, which is the volume of packed cells,
will increase.
Variation in red cell size observed on the peripheral smear is described as:
A. Anisocytosis
B. Hypochromia
C. Poikilocytosis
D. Pleocytosis - correct answer: A A mature erythrocyte is approximately 7-8 μm in diameter.
Variation in normal size is denoted by the term anisocytosis. Hypochromia is a term that
,indicates increased central pallor in erythrocytes, and poikilocytosis denotes variation in red cell
shape.
Which of the following is the preferable site for bone marrow aspiration and biopsy in an adult?
A. Iliac crest
B. Sternum
C. Tibia
D. Spinous processes of a vertebra - correct answer: A The iliac crest is the most frequently used
site for one marrow aspiration and biopsy. This site is the safest and most easily accessible, with
the bone just beneath the skin, and neither blood vessels nor nerves are in the vicinity.
Mean cell volume (MCV) is calculated using the following formula:
A. (Hgb ÷ RBC) × 10
B. (Hct ÷ RBC) × 10
C. (Hct ÷ Hgb) × 100
D. (Hgb ÷ RBC) × 100 - correct answer: B MCV is the average "volume" of the red cells. This is
obtained by dividing the Hct or packed cell volume PCV) by the red blood cell (RBC) count in
millions per microliter of blood and multiplying by 10. The MCV is expressed in cubic microns
(μm3) or femtoliters (fL).
,What term describes the change in shape of erythrocytes seen on a Wright's-stained peripheral
blood smear?
A. Poikilocytosis
B. Anisocytosis
C. Hypochromia
D. Polychromasia - correct answer: A Variation in shape of the erythrocytes on a peripheral
blood smear is poikilocytosis. Anisocytosis refers to a change in size. Hypochromia is an increase
in central pallor in erythrocytes. Polychromasia describes the bluish tinge of the immature
erythrocytes (reticulocytes) circulating in the peripheral blood.
Calculate the mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) using the following values:
Hgb: 15 g/dL (150 g/L)
Hct: 47 mL/dL (0.47)
RBC: 4.50 × 106/μL (4.50 × 1012/L)
A. 9.5% (.095)
B. 10.4% (.104)
C. 31.9% (.319)
, D. 33.3% (.333) - correct answer: C MCHC is the average concentration of Hgb in red cells
expressed as a percentage. It expresses the ratio of the weight of Hgb to the volume of
erythrocytes and is calculated by dividing Hgb by the Hct, and then multiplying by 100. A
decreased MCHC indicates that cells are hypochromic. In this example, (15 ÷ 47) × 100 = 31.9%.
The reference range for MCHC is 32%-36%.
A manual white blood cell (WBC) count was performed. A total of 36 cells were counted in all 9-
mm2 squares of a Neubauer-ruled hemacytometer. A 1:10 dilution was used. What is the WBC
count?
A. 0.4 × 109/L
B. 2.5 × 109/L
C. 4.0 × 109/L
D. 8.0 × 109/L - correct answer: A The formula used for calculating manual cell counts using a
hemacytometer is: Number of cells counted × dilution factor × depth factor (10) divided by the
area. In this example, 36 × 10 × 10 = 3600 ÷ 9 = 400/mm3 or 0.4 × 109/L.
When an erythrocyte containing iron granules is
stained with Prussian blue, the cell is called a:
A. Spherocyte
B. Leptocyte
Hematology Study Questions and
Correct Answers
Insufficient centrifugation will result in:
A. A false increase in hematocrit (Hct) value
B. A false decrease in Hct value
C. No effect on Hct value
D. All of these options, depending on the patient - correct answer: A Insufficient centrifugation
does not pack down the red blood cells; therefore, the Hct, which is the volume of packed cells,
will increase.
Variation in red cell size observed on the peripheral smear is described as:
A. Anisocytosis
B. Hypochromia
C. Poikilocytosis
D. Pleocytosis - correct answer: A A mature erythrocyte is approximately 7-8 μm in diameter.
Variation in normal size is denoted by the term anisocytosis. Hypochromia is a term that
,indicates increased central pallor in erythrocytes, and poikilocytosis denotes variation in red cell
shape.
Which of the following is the preferable site for bone marrow aspiration and biopsy in an adult?
A. Iliac crest
B. Sternum
C. Tibia
D. Spinous processes of a vertebra - correct answer: A The iliac crest is the most frequently used
site for one marrow aspiration and biopsy. This site is the safest and most easily accessible, with
the bone just beneath the skin, and neither blood vessels nor nerves are in the vicinity.
Mean cell volume (MCV) is calculated using the following formula:
A. (Hgb ÷ RBC) × 10
B. (Hct ÷ RBC) × 10
C. (Hct ÷ Hgb) × 100
D. (Hgb ÷ RBC) × 100 - correct answer: B MCV is the average "volume" of the red cells. This is
obtained by dividing the Hct or packed cell volume PCV) by the red blood cell (RBC) count in
millions per microliter of blood and multiplying by 10. The MCV is expressed in cubic microns
(μm3) or femtoliters (fL).
,What term describes the change in shape of erythrocytes seen on a Wright's-stained peripheral
blood smear?
A. Poikilocytosis
B. Anisocytosis
C. Hypochromia
D. Polychromasia - correct answer: A Variation in shape of the erythrocytes on a peripheral
blood smear is poikilocytosis. Anisocytosis refers to a change in size. Hypochromia is an increase
in central pallor in erythrocytes. Polychromasia describes the bluish tinge of the immature
erythrocytes (reticulocytes) circulating in the peripheral blood.
Calculate the mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) using the following values:
Hgb: 15 g/dL (150 g/L)
Hct: 47 mL/dL (0.47)
RBC: 4.50 × 106/μL (4.50 × 1012/L)
A. 9.5% (.095)
B. 10.4% (.104)
C. 31.9% (.319)
, D. 33.3% (.333) - correct answer: C MCHC is the average concentration of Hgb in red cells
expressed as a percentage. It expresses the ratio of the weight of Hgb to the volume of
erythrocytes and is calculated by dividing Hgb by the Hct, and then multiplying by 100. A
decreased MCHC indicates that cells are hypochromic. In this example, (15 ÷ 47) × 100 = 31.9%.
The reference range for MCHC is 32%-36%.
A manual white blood cell (WBC) count was performed. A total of 36 cells were counted in all 9-
mm2 squares of a Neubauer-ruled hemacytometer. A 1:10 dilution was used. What is the WBC
count?
A. 0.4 × 109/L
B. 2.5 × 109/L
C. 4.0 × 109/L
D. 8.0 × 109/L - correct answer: A The formula used for calculating manual cell counts using a
hemacytometer is: Number of cells counted × dilution factor × depth factor (10) divided by the
area. In this example, 36 × 10 × 10 = 3600 ÷ 9 = 400/mm3 or 0.4 × 109/L.
When an erythrocyte containing iron granules is
stained with Prussian blue, the cell is called a:
A. Spherocyte
B. Leptocyte
