UAMS Hematology Lab Final Exam | Verified Questions and Correct
Answers (2025/2026) | 200 Questions
Questions 1–50: Blood Smear Preparation & Staining
1. What is the correct smear preparation process for a peripheral
blood smear?
A) Place a drop of blood on the center of the slide and spread immediately
B) Place a drop of blood from an EDTA tube approximately ½ inch from
the frosted end of a slide, allow blood to spread across the width, and
smoothly push the spreader slide forward at a 30-45 degree angle
C) Place a drop of blood on the frosted end and pull the spreader slide
backward
D) Place a drop of blood on the slide and air dry before spreading
Answer B: Place a drop of blood from an EDTA tube approximately ½
inch from the frosted end of a slide, allow blood to spread across the
,width, and smoothly push the spreader slide forward at a 30-45
degree angle
Rationale: The spreader slide is pulled back into the drop, allowed to
spread, then smoothly pushed forward at 30-45 degrees.
2. What angle should the spreader slide be held at when preparing a
peripheral blood smear?
A) 30-45 degrees
B) 15-20 degrees
C) 45-60 degrees
D) 60-90 degrees
Answer A: 30-45 degrees
Rationale: The spreader slide should be held at a 30-45 degree angle to
produce an optimal smear with a good feathered edge.
3. Which of the following is a cause of a poor-quality blood smear?
A) Clean slide
B) Jerky motion during spreading
C) Smooth and steady hand
D) Allowing blood to spread across the slide
Answer B: Jerky motion during spreading
,Rationale: Jerky motion, dirty slides, steep angle, and unequal pressure all
contribute to poor smear quality.
4. What is the coverslip smear primarily used for?
A) Routine CBC testing
B) Bone marrow preparations
C) Reticulocyte counts
D) Platelet counts
Answer B: Bone marrow preparations
Rationale: The coverslip smear technique is specifically used for making
bone marrow preparations.
5. What items are needed for Wright's stain procedure?
A) Wright's stain, buffer, methanol, timer, and staining jars
B) Wright's stain and water only
C) Wright's stain and acetone
D) Wright's stain and alcohol only
Answer A: Wright's stain, buffer, methanol, timer, and staining jars
Rationale: Wright's stain requires stain, buffer, methanol, and proper
containers for the staining process.
, 6. Excessively blue slides on Wright's stain may be due to:
A) Smear being too thick or prolonged staining time
B) Insufficient staining time
C) Prolonged washing
D) Acidic buffer
Answer A: Smear being too thick or prolonged staining time
Rationale: Thick smears trap more stain, and prolonged staining leads to
over-staining (blue appearance).
7. Excessively red (pink) slides on Wright's stain may be due to:
A) Smear being too thick
B) Insufficient staining time or prolonged washing
C) Prolonged staining time
D) Alkaline buffer
Answer B: Insufficient staining time or prolonged washing
Rationale: Insufficient staining time or excessive washing removes stain,
leaving slides too pink.
8. Precipitated stain on a blood smear may be due to:
A) Unfiltered Wright's stain or stain dried on the smear during processing
B) Insufficient staining time
C) Prolonged washing
Answers (2025/2026) | 200 Questions
Questions 1–50: Blood Smear Preparation & Staining
1. What is the correct smear preparation process for a peripheral
blood smear?
A) Place a drop of blood on the center of the slide and spread immediately
B) Place a drop of blood from an EDTA tube approximately ½ inch from
the frosted end of a slide, allow blood to spread across the width, and
smoothly push the spreader slide forward at a 30-45 degree angle
C) Place a drop of blood on the frosted end and pull the spreader slide
backward
D) Place a drop of blood on the slide and air dry before spreading
Answer B: Place a drop of blood from an EDTA tube approximately ½
inch from the frosted end of a slide, allow blood to spread across the
,width, and smoothly push the spreader slide forward at a 30-45
degree angle
Rationale: The spreader slide is pulled back into the drop, allowed to
spread, then smoothly pushed forward at 30-45 degrees.
2. What angle should the spreader slide be held at when preparing a
peripheral blood smear?
A) 30-45 degrees
B) 15-20 degrees
C) 45-60 degrees
D) 60-90 degrees
Answer A: 30-45 degrees
Rationale: The spreader slide should be held at a 30-45 degree angle to
produce an optimal smear with a good feathered edge.
3. Which of the following is a cause of a poor-quality blood smear?
A) Clean slide
B) Jerky motion during spreading
C) Smooth and steady hand
D) Allowing blood to spread across the slide
Answer B: Jerky motion during spreading
,Rationale: Jerky motion, dirty slides, steep angle, and unequal pressure all
contribute to poor smear quality.
4. What is the coverslip smear primarily used for?
A) Routine CBC testing
B) Bone marrow preparations
C) Reticulocyte counts
D) Platelet counts
Answer B: Bone marrow preparations
Rationale: The coverslip smear technique is specifically used for making
bone marrow preparations.
5. What items are needed for Wright's stain procedure?
A) Wright's stain, buffer, methanol, timer, and staining jars
B) Wright's stain and water only
C) Wright's stain and acetone
D) Wright's stain and alcohol only
Answer A: Wright's stain, buffer, methanol, timer, and staining jars
Rationale: Wright's stain requires stain, buffer, methanol, and proper
containers for the staining process.
, 6. Excessively blue slides on Wright's stain may be due to:
A) Smear being too thick or prolonged staining time
B) Insufficient staining time
C) Prolonged washing
D) Acidic buffer
Answer A: Smear being too thick or prolonged staining time
Rationale: Thick smears trap more stain, and prolonged staining leads to
over-staining (blue appearance).
7. Excessively red (pink) slides on Wright's stain may be due to:
A) Smear being too thick
B) Insufficient staining time or prolonged washing
C) Prolonged staining time
D) Alkaline buffer
Answer B: Insufficient staining time or prolonged washing
Rationale: Insufficient staining time or excessive washing removes stain,
leaving slides too pink.
8. Precipitated stain on a blood smear may be due to:
A) Unfiltered Wright's stain or stain dried on the smear during processing
B) Insufficient staining time
C) Prolonged washing
