MLS ASCP EXAM | Question and Answer |
2026/2027 Updated Study Guide | Verified
Past Paper Questions | A+ Verified
• loose clusters of small spherical microconidia, positive urease -✓✓ -Answer:
Trichophyton mentagrophytes -Trichophyton is the only Dermatophyte with two
colony types : macroconidia and microconidia. - T. mentagrophytes
characteristically produce "grapelike clusters" of microconidia. - Positive in the
hair perforation test.
• Beta -HCG tumor marker -✓✓ Answer: chorocarcinoma
-The are are 2 forms of hCG Alpha (common form) and Beta (unique form)
• 5HIAA 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid -✓✓ -Answer: carcinoid tumors -5HIAA:
primary metabolite of serotonin, a chemical substance (neurotransmitter) that
transmits messages between nerve cells. -Large quantities of serotonin and 5-
HIAA may be produced by some carcinoid tumors.- Carcinoid tumors are slow-
growing noncancerous or cancerous neuroendocrine masses that can form in the GI
tract, especially in the appendix, and in the lungs.
• Proteus vulgaris vs P. mirabilis indole test -✓✓ P. vulgaris is indole pos. P.
mirabilis is indole neg
• Hydatid cyst fluid -✓✓ used to neutralize Anti-P1 antibody
• Antacid overdose -✓✓ Check pH
• Prolonged PT, PTT, and thrombin after collecting from catheter -✓✓ heparin
contamination
,• mixing study that was performed with a prolonged PTT that couldn't be corrected
-✓✓ DRVVT (Dilute Russell Viper Venom Test)
• two pt's ran in duplicate (PT and PTT). The PTT seemed to always be prolonged
but PT looked ok -✓✓ check the CaCl/phospholipid reagent delivery
• Patient is on coumadin therapy, what will be affected -✓✓ Decreased protein C
• Lot's of stomatocytes -✓✓ Liver disease
• Burr cells -✓✓ Uremia
• Picture of target cells with hemoglobin C crystals. The white count was high on
instrument 1, so a second instrument was used with a stronger lysing agent, and the
white count was corrected -✓✓ anti-lysing target cells are what increased the white
count? Erythrocytes containing hemoglobin C do not lyse normally (sickle cell
diseases)
• A sodium citrate tube was drawn for a HCT on a pt but the hematocrit was
abnormal -✓✓ recollect with decreased anticoagulant. high hct (>55%) causes low
plasma so you need less anticoagulant
• Question that gives a red blood cells count, HGB, and HCT. I did the rule of 3
and found that the HGB didn't meet the rule of 3 because it was too high -✓✓
check for lipemia (elevates HGB)
, • PBS with an elevated reticulocyte count and howell jolly bodies in the RBC's -
✓✓ -Answer: howell jolly bodies= DNA= Wright Stain
-Peppenheimer- Prussian blue stain
-which is not taken up by reticulocytes
-helpful in differentiating the two.
-Reticulocytes=Supravital/ new methylene blue stain
• what is composed of DNA? -✓✓ howell jolly bodies
-wright Stain
• what falsely increases ESR -✓✓ vibration, tilting of tube, higher temps, >1 hr test
time, improper mixing of blood, improper dilution
• factors decreasing ESR -✓✓ Polycythemia, Microcytosis (Hb C), Sickle cells,
spherocytes, Anti-inflammatory medications, Hypogammaglobulinemia,
Hypofibrinogenemia (DIC), High WBC count, Hyperviscosity
• Factors increasing ESR -✓✓ Anemia, Macrocytosis, Female gender, Age >50
years, Obesity, Pregnancy, Hypercholesterolemia, cancer, multiple myeloma,
rouleaux, infections, inflammation
• what falsely decreases ESR -✓✓ low blood/ room temps, air bubbles, tests <1 hr,
improper mixing of blood, improper dilution
• lactic acid collection -✓✓ separate from serum and put on ice
• coefficient of variation -✓✓ (standard deviation/ mean) X 100
2026/2027 Updated Study Guide | Verified
Past Paper Questions | A+ Verified
• loose clusters of small spherical microconidia, positive urease -✓✓ -Answer:
Trichophyton mentagrophytes -Trichophyton is the only Dermatophyte with two
colony types : macroconidia and microconidia. - T. mentagrophytes
characteristically produce "grapelike clusters" of microconidia. - Positive in the
hair perforation test.
• Beta -HCG tumor marker -✓✓ Answer: chorocarcinoma
-The are are 2 forms of hCG Alpha (common form) and Beta (unique form)
• 5HIAA 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid -✓✓ -Answer: carcinoid tumors -5HIAA:
primary metabolite of serotonin, a chemical substance (neurotransmitter) that
transmits messages between nerve cells. -Large quantities of serotonin and 5-
HIAA may be produced by some carcinoid tumors.- Carcinoid tumors are slow-
growing noncancerous or cancerous neuroendocrine masses that can form in the GI
tract, especially in the appendix, and in the lungs.
• Proteus vulgaris vs P. mirabilis indole test -✓✓ P. vulgaris is indole pos. P.
mirabilis is indole neg
• Hydatid cyst fluid -✓✓ used to neutralize Anti-P1 antibody
• Antacid overdose -✓✓ Check pH
• Prolonged PT, PTT, and thrombin after collecting from catheter -✓✓ heparin
contamination
,• mixing study that was performed with a prolonged PTT that couldn't be corrected
-✓✓ DRVVT (Dilute Russell Viper Venom Test)
• two pt's ran in duplicate (PT and PTT). The PTT seemed to always be prolonged
but PT looked ok -✓✓ check the CaCl/phospholipid reagent delivery
• Patient is on coumadin therapy, what will be affected -✓✓ Decreased protein C
• Lot's of stomatocytes -✓✓ Liver disease
• Burr cells -✓✓ Uremia
• Picture of target cells with hemoglobin C crystals. The white count was high on
instrument 1, so a second instrument was used with a stronger lysing agent, and the
white count was corrected -✓✓ anti-lysing target cells are what increased the white
count? Erythrocytes containing hemoglobin C do not lyse normally (sickle cell
diseases)
• A sodium citrate tube was drawn for a HCT on a pt but the hematocrit was
abnormal -✓✓ recollect with decreased anticoagulant. high hct (>55%) causes low
plasma so you need less anticoagulant
• Question that gives a red blood cells count, HGB, and HCT. I did the rule of 3
and found that the HGB didn't meet the rule of 3 because it was too high -✓✓
check for lipemia (elevates HGB)
, • PBS with an elevated reticulocyte count and howell jolly bodies in the RBC's -
✓✓ -Answer: howell jolly bodies= DNA= Wright Stain
-Peppenheimer- Prussian blue stain
-which is not taken up by reticulocytes
-helpful in differentiating the two.
-Reticulocytes=Supravital/ new methylene blue stain
• what is composed of DNA? -✓✓ howell jolly bodies
-wright Stain
• what falsely increases ESR -✓✓ vibration, tilting of tube, higher temps, >1 hr test
time, improper mixing of blood, improper dilution
• factors decreasing ESR -✓✓ Polycythemia, Microcytosis (Hb C), Sickle cells,
spherocytes, Anti-inflammatory medications, Hypogammaglobulinemia,
Hypofibrinogenemia (DIC), High WBC count, Hyperviscosity
• Factors increasing ESR -✓✓ Anemia, Macrocytosis, Female gender, Age >50
years, Obesity, Pregnancy, Hypercholesterolemia, cancer, multiple myeloma,
rouleaux, infections, inflammation
• what falsely decreases ESR -✓✓ low blood/ room temps, air bubbles, tests <1 hr,
improper mixing of blood, improper dilution
• lactic acid collection -✓✓ separate from serum and put on ice
• coefficient of variation -✓✓ (standard deviation/ mean) X 100
