UAMS Hematology lab final Exam Verified Q mn mn mn mn mn mn
uestions and Correct Answers (2025/2026) mn mn mn mn
UAMS Hematology Lab Final Examination
mn mn mn mn
Instructions: Please select the best answer for each question. For short answer questions, provide a co
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
ncise and accurate response.
mn mn mn
1. What is the smear preparation process for a peripheral blood smear in the UAMS Hematolo
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
gy Lab?
mn
Answer: The standard process involves:
mn mn mn mn
1. Place a drop of well-mixed EDTA blood approximately 2-mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
3 mm in diameter at one end of a clean, dry glass microscope slide.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
2. Place the spreader slide at a 30- mn mn mn mn mn mn
45 degree angle in front of the blood drop and draw it back to contact the drop, allowing the b
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
lood to spread evenly along the edge of the spreader slide.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
3. Push the spreader slide forward with a smooth, rapid, and even motion to create a feathered
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn m
edge. n
4. Allow the smear to air dry completely. mn mn mn mn mn mn
5. Label the smear with at least two patient identifiers (e.g., patient name and UAMS medical re
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
cord number). mn
6. Fix the smear by immersion in 100% methanol for 1-3 minutes.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
7. Stain the smear using a Romanowsky-type stain (e.g., Wright-
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
Giemsa) according to the lab's standard protocol (e.g., using an automated stainer).
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
2. A patient’s CBC shows a WBC count of 25,000/µL with 80% lymphocytes. Many of these ly
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
mphocytes are large, have abundant pale blue cytoplasm, and appear to be "squished" or inden
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
ted by surrounding red blood cells. What is the most likely diagnosis?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
a) Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
mn mn mn mn
b) Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
mn mn mn mn
c) Infectious Mononucleosis
mn mn
d) Multiple Myeloma
mn mn
Answer: c) Infectious Mononucleosis mn mn mn
3. Which of the following red blood cell inclusions is composed of denatured hemoglobin and is
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
visible with a supravital stain such as New Methylene Blue?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
a) Howell-Jolly body
mn mn
b) Pappenheimer body
mn mn
c) Heinz body
mn mn
d) Basophilic stippling
mn mn
Answer: c) Heinz body mn mn mn
4. On a peripheral blood smear, you observe red blood cells that are elongated and have pointe
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
d ends, resembling a sickle or a crescent. In which condition are these cells primarily seen?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
a) Thalassemia major
mn mn
b) Sickle Cell Disease (HbSS)
mn mn mn mn
c) Hereditary Spherocytosis
mn mn
d) Iron Deficiency Anemia
mn mn mn
Answer: b) Sickle Cell Disease (HbSS)
mn mn mn mn mn
5. A patient’s platelet count is severely decreased at 12,000/µL. In addition to a CBC, what othe
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
r test is critical to perform to help determine the etiology of the thrombocytopenia?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
messages.downloaded_by
,a) Coagulation studies (PT/PTT)
mn mn mn
b) Reticulocyte count
mn mn
c) Peripheral blood smear review
mn mn mn mn
d) Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
mn mn mn mn
Answer: c) Peripheral blood smear review
mn mn mn mn mn
6. True or False: A left shift in the WBC differential count refers to an increase in the number
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
of mature, segmented neutrophils.
mn mn mn
Answer: False (A left shift refers to an increase in immature neutrophils, such as bands and metamyel
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
ocytes).
7. Which of the following cells is a hallmark finding in the bone marrow of a patient with Hodg
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
kin Lymphoma? mn
a) Auer rod
mn mn
b) Reed-Sternberg cell
mn mn
c) Smudge cell
mn mn
d) Rouleaux formation
mn mn
Answer: b) Reed-Sternberg cell mn mn mn
8. Match the following red blood cell morphology terms with their correct descriptions.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
Term Description
a. Schistocyte
mn 1. Red blood cells that are smaller than normal and have a decreased central pallor.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
b. Spherocyte
mn 2. A fragmented red blood cell, often seen in microangiopathic hemolytic anemias.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
c. Target cell
mn mn 3. A red blood cell with a "bullseye" appearance, often seen in liver disease and thalasse
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
d. Microcyte
mn 4. A red blood cell with a "helmet" shape, a type of schistocyte.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
e. Burr Cell (Echinocyte)
mn mn mn 5. Red blood cells with uniformly spaced, short, blunt projections.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
Answers:
a - 2 (Schistocyte)
mn mn mn
b - 1 (Spherocyte)
mn mn mn
c - 3 (Target cell)
mn mn mn mn
d- mn
1 (Microcyte) (Note: A microcyte is a small RBC, but the description "smaller than normal and have
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
a decreased central pallor" is best for spherocyte. It's a common area of confusion. A microcyte is just
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn m
a small cell, while a spherocyte is a small, dense cell lacking central pallor. For the sake of this exam,
n mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
let's clarify: A true spherocyte is small and lacks central pallor, making it appear hyperchromic. A mi
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
crocyte is simply a small RBC. I will adjust the matching to be more precise.)
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
Revised Matching: mn
Term Description
a. Schistocyte
mn 1. Red blood cell fragments, often helmet-shaped or triangular.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
b. Spherocyte
mn 2. A red blood cell that is smaller than normal and lacks central pallor, appearing hyperc
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
c. Target cell
mn mn 3. A red blood cell with a "bullseye" or "Mexican hat" appearance.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
messages.downloaded_by
, Term Description
d. Ovalocyte
mn 4. An egg-shaped red blood cell.
mn mn mn mn mn
e. Burr Cell (Echinocyte)
mn mn mn 5. Red blood cells with uniformly spaced, short, blunt projections.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
Answers:
a-1 mn mn
b-2 mn mn
c-3 mn mn
d-4 mn mn
e-5 mn mn
9. Auer rods are needle-
mn mn mn mn
like, azurophilic inclusions found in the cytoplasm of blast cells. Their presence is pathognomoni
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
c for which of the following?
mn mn mn mn mn
a) Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
mn mn mn mn
b) Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
mn mn mn
c) Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
mn mn mn mn
d) Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
mn mn mn mn
Answer: c) Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)mn mn mn mn mn
10. What is the primary principle behind the automated hematology analyzer's impedance meth
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
od (e.g., Coulter principle) for counting cells?
mn mn mn mn mn mn
a) Cells are counted based on their light-scattering properties.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
b) Cells are counted based on their ability to conduct electricity.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
c) Cells are counted based on the change in electrical resistance as they pass through an aperture.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
d) Cells are counted based on their fluorescence after staining with a dye.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
Answer: c) Cells are counted based on the change in electrical resistance as they pass through an aper
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
ture.
11. You are performing a manual WBC count using a Neubauer hemocytometer. You dilute 25
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
µL of whole blood with 475 µL of diluent (a 1:20 dilution). You count the cells in all 4 corner s
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
quares of the Neubauer chamber and get a total of 200 cells. What is the total WBC count?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
a) 2,500/µL
mn
b) 5,000/µL
mn
c) 10,000/µL
mn
d) 20,000/µL
mn
Answer: c) 10,000/µL mn mn
Calculation:
• Cells counted = 200 mn mn mn
• Dilution factor = 20 mn mn mn
• Number of squares counted = 4 mn mn mn mn mn
• Volume of one square = 0.1 mm³ = 0.1 µL mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
• Total Volume counted = 4 squares × 0.1 µL = 0.4 µL mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
• WBC count = (Cells counted / Volume) × Dilution = (.4) × 20 = 500 × 20 = 10,000 ce
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
lls/µL
12. What is the reticulocyte count? Which stain is most commonly used for its evaluation?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
Answer: The reticulocyte count is a measure of the percentage of reticulocytes (immature red blood ce
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
lls) in the peripheral blood. It reflects the bone marrow's erythroid activity and is a crucial indicator of
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn m
nwhether anemia is due to decreased production or increased destruction. The most commonly used sup
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
ravital stain for reticulocyte evaluation is New Methylene Blue, which precipitates the residual RNA i
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
messages.downloaded_by
uestions and Correct Answers (2025/2026) mn mn mn mn
UAMS Hematology Lab Final Examination
mn mn mn mn
Instructions: Please select the best answer for each question. For short answer questions, provide a co
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
ncise and accurate response.
mn mn mn
1. What is the smear preparation process for a peripheral blood smear in the UAMS Hematolo
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
gy Lab?
mn
Answer: The standard process involves:
mn mn mn mn
1. Place a drop of well-mixed EDTA blood approximately 2-mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
3 mm in diameter at one end of a clean, dry glass microscope slide.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
2. Place the spreader slide at a 30- mn mn mn mn mn mn
45 degree angle in front of the blood drop and draw it back to contact the drop, allowing the b
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
lood to spread evenly along the edge of the spreader slide.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
3. Push the spreader slide forward with a smooth, rapid, and even motion to create a feathered
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn m
edge. n
4. Allow the smear to air dry completely. mn mn mn mn mn mn
5. Label the smear with at least two patient identifiers (e.g., patient name and UAMS medical re
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
cord number). mn
6. Fix the smear by immersion in 100% methanol for 1-3 minutes.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
7. Stain the smear using a Romanowsky-type stain (e.g., Wright-
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
Giemsa) according to the lab's standard protocol (e.g., using an automated stainer).
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
2. A patient’s CBC shows a WBC count of 25,000/µL with 80% lymphocytes. Many of these ly
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
mphocytes are large, have abundant pale blue cytoplasm, and appear to be "squished" or inden
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
ted by surrounding red blood cells. What is the most likely diagnosis?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
a) Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
mn mn mn mn
b) Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
mn mn mn mn
c) Infectious Mononucleosis
mn mn
d) Multiple Myeloma
mn mn
Answer: c) Infectious Mononucleosis mn mn mn
3. Which of the following red blood cell inclusions is composed of denatured hemoglobin and is
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
visible with a supravital stain such as New Methylene Blue?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
a) Howell-Jolly body
mn mn
b) Pappenheimer body
mn mn
c) Heinz body
mn mn
d) Basophilic stippling
mn mn
Answer: c) Heinz body mn mn mn
4. On a peripheral blood smear, you observe red blood cells that are elongated and have pointe
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
d ends, resembling a sickle or a crescent. In which condition are these cells primarily seen?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
a) Thalassemia major
mn mn
b) Sickle Cell Disease (HbSS)
mn mn mn mn
c) Hereditary Spherocytosis
mn mn
d) Iron Deficiency Anemia
mn mn mn
Answer: b) Sickle Cell Disease (HbSS)
mn mn mn mn mn
5. A patient’s platelet count is severely decreased at 12,000/µL. In addition to a CBC, what othe
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
r test is critical to perform to help determine the etiology of the thrombocytopenia?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
messages.downloaded_by
,a) Coagulation studies (PT/PTT)
mn mn mn
b) Reticulocyte count
mn mn
c) Peripheral blood smear review
mn mn mn mn
d) Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
mn mn mn mn
Answer: c) Peripheral blood smear review
mn mn mn mn mn
6. True or False: A left shift in the WBC differential count refers to an increase in the number
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
of mature, segmented neutrophils.
mn mn mn
Answer: False (A left shift refers to an increase in immature neutrophils, such as bands and metamyel
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
ocytes).
7. Which of the following cells is a hallmark finding in the bone marrow of a patient with Hodg
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
kin Lymphoma? mn
a) Auer rod
mn mn
b) Reed-Sternberg cell
mn mn
c) Smudge cell
mn mn
d) Rouleaux formation
mn mn
Answer: b) Reed-Sternberg cell mn mn mn
8. Match the following red blood cell morphology terms with their correct descriptions.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
Term Description
a. Schistocyte
mn 1. Red blood cells that are smaller than normal and have a decreased central pallor.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
b. Spherocyte
mn 2. A fragmented red blood cell, often seen in microangiopathic hemolytic anemias.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
c. Target cell
mn mn 3. A red blood cell with a "bullseye" appearance, often seen in liver disease and thalasse
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
d. Microcyte
mn 4. A red blood cell with a "helmet" shape, a type of schistocyte.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
e. Burr Cell (Echinocyte)
mn mn mn 5. Red blood cells with uniformly spaced, short, blunt projections.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
Answers:
a - 2 (Schistocyte)
mn mn mn
b - 1 (Spherocyte)
mn mn mn
c - 3 (Target cell)
mn mn mn mn
d- mn
1 (Microcyte) (Note: A microcyte is a small RBC, but the description "smaller than normal and have
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
a decreased central pallor" is best for spherocyte. It's a common area of confusion. A microcyte is just
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn m
a small cell, while a spherocyte is a small, dense cell lacking central pallor. For the sake of this exam,
n mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
let's clarify: A true spherocyte is small and lacks central pallor, making it appear hyperchromic. A mi
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
crocyte is simply a small RBC. I will adjust the matching to be more precise.)
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
Revised Matching: mn
Term Description
a. Schistocyte
mn 1. Red blood cell fragments, often helmet-shaped or triangular.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
b. Spherocyte
mn 2. A red blood cell that is smaller than normal and lacks central pallor, appearing hyperc
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
c. Target cell
mn mn 3. A red blood cell with a "bullseye" or "Mexican hat" appearance.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
messages.downloaded_by
, Term Description
d. Ovalocyte
mn 4. An egg-shaped red blood cell.
mn mn mn mn mn
e. Burr Cell (Echinocyte)
mn mn mn 5. Red blood cells with uniformly spaced, short, blunt projections.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
Answers:
a-1 mn mn
b-2 mn mn
c-3 mn mn
d-4 mn mn
e-5 mn mn
9. Auer rods are needle-
mn mn mn mn
like, azurophilic inclusions found in the cytoplasm of blast cells. Their presence is pathognomoni
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
c for which of the following?
mn mn mn mn mn
a) Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
mn mn mn mn
b) Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
mn mn mn
c) Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
mn mn mn mn
d) Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
mn mn mn mn
Answer: c) Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)mn mn mn mn mn
10. What is the primary principle behind the automated hematology analyzer's impedance meth
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
od (e.g., Coulter principle) for counting cells?
mn mn mn mn mn mn
a) Cells are counted based on their light-scattering properties.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
b) Cells are counted based on their ability to conduct electricity.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
c) Cells are counted based on the change in electrical resistance as they pass through an aperture.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
d) Cells are counted based on their fluorescence after staining with a dye.
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
Answer: c) Cells are counted based on the change in electrical resistance as they pass through an aper
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
ture.
11. You are performing a manual WBC count using a Neubauer hemocytometer. You dilute 25
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
µL of whole blood with 475 µL of diluent (a 1:20 dilution). You count the cells in all 4 corner s
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
quares of the Neubauer chamber and get a total of 200 cells. What is the total WBC count?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
a) 2,500/µL
mn
b) 5,000/µL
mn
c) 10,000/µL
mn
d) 20,000/µL
mn
Answer: c) 10,000/µL mn mn
Calculation:
• Cells counted = 200 mn mn mn
• Dilution factor = 20 mn mn mn
• Number of squares counted = 4 mn mn mn mn mn
• Volume of one square = 0.1 mm³ = 0.1 µL mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
• Total Volume counted = 4 squares × 0.1 µL = 0.4 µL mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
• WBC count = (Cells counted / Volume) × Dilution = (.4) × 20 = 500 × 20 = 10,000 ce
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
lls/µL
12. What is the reticulocyte count? Which stain is most commonly used for its evaluation?
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
Answer: The reticulocyte count is a measure of the percentage of reticulocytes (immature red blood ce
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
lls) in the peripheral blood. It reflects the bone marrow's erythroid activity and is a crucial indicator of
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn m
nwhether anemia is due to decreased production or increased destruction. The most commonly used sup
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
ravital stain for reticulocyte evaluation is New Methylene Blue, which precipitates the residual RNA i
mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn mn
messages.downloaded_by
