ASCP
Histotechnology Practice Questions 2026 | HT(ASCP) Exam
Prep, Answers & Detailed Rationales | Study Guide
This Resource Includes
➢ ASCP Histotechnology practice questions
➢ HT(ASCP) exam preparation
➢ Questions and answers with detailed
rationales
, ASCP Histotechnology Practice Questions 2026 |
HT(ASCP) Exam Prep, Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Study Guide
Question 1
Acetic acid as a fixative:
A) Fixes carbohydrates well
B) Fixes lipids effectively
C) Does not fix or destroy carbohydrates and does not fix lipids
D) Penetrates very slowly
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Acetic acid does not fix or destroy carbohydrates, and it
does not fix lipids. It penetrates very rapidly and leaves tissue very soft.
It is added to many fixative mixtures because of its ability to fix nuclei.
Question 2
Which fixative produces false positive results with Schiff reagent
techniques such as PAS?
,A) Formaldehyde
B) Glutaraldehyde
C) Acetic acid
D) Zinc salts
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Techniques using Schiff reagent, such as the periodic acid-
Schiff (PAS) stain, cannot be used on glutaraldehyde-fixed tissues
because false positive results will be obtained.
Question 3
Which fixative is the smallest dialdehyde and has replaced
formaldehyde in some histopathology laboratories due to lower
toxicity?
A) Glutaraldehyde
B) Glyoxal
C) Acetic acid
D) Picric acid
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Glyoxal is the smallest dialdehyde and is used in the textile
industry for imparting wrinkle resistance and permanent press creases.
, It has replaced formaldehyde in some histopathology laboratories
because it is much less toxic.
Question 4
Zinc salts have found use as a substitute for which substance in B-5
solution?
A) Formaldehyde
B) Mercury
C) Picric acid
D) Glutaraldehyde
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Zinc salts today have found use not only in combination with
formaldehyde for routine fixation, but as a substitute for mercury in the
B-5 solution commonly used for the fixation of lymph node and bone
marrow tissues.
Question 5
Which transport medium is recommended if unfixed tissue is to be
held for several days or transported over a long distance?
Histotechnology Practice Questions 2026 | HT(ASCP) Exam
Prep, Answers & Detailed Rationales | Study Guide
This Resource Includes
➢ ASCP Histotechnology practice questions
➢ HT(ASCP) exam preparation
➢ Questions and answers with detailed
rationales
, ASCP Histotechnology Practice Questions 2026 |
HT(ASCP) Exam Prep, Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Study Guide
Question 1
Acetic acid as a fixative:
A) Fixes carbohydrates well
B) Fixes lipids effectively
C) Does not fix or destroy carbohydrates and does not fix lipids
D) Penetrates very slowly
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Acetic acid does not fix or destroy carbohydrates, and it
does not fix lipids. It penetrates very rapidly and leaves tissue very soft.
It is added to many fixative mixtures because of its ability to fix nuclei.
Question 2
Which fixative produces false positive results with Schiff reagent
techniques such as PAS?
,A) Formaldehyde
B) Glutaraldehyde
C) Acetic acid
D) Zinc salts
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Techniques using Schiff reagent, such as the periodic acid-
Schiff (PAS) stain, cannot be used on glutaraldehyde-fixed tissues
because false positive results will be obtained.
Question 3
Which fixative is the smallest dialdehyde and has replaced
formaldehyde in some histopathology laboratories due to lower
toxicity?
A) Glutaraldehyde
B) Glyoxal
C) Acetic acid
D) Picric acid
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Glyoxal is the smallest dialdehyde and is used in the textile
industry for imparting wrinkle resistance and permanent press creases.
, It has replaced formaldehyde in some histopathology laboratories
because it is much less toxic.
Question 4
Zinc salts have found use as a substitute for which substance in B-5
solution?
A) Formaldehyde
B) Mercury
C) Picric acid
D) Glutaraldehyde
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Zinc salts today have found use not only in combination with
formaldehyde for routine fixation, but as a substitute for mercury in the
B-5 solution commonly used for the fixation of lymph node and bone
marrow tissues.
Question 5
Which transport medium is recommended if unfixed tissue is to be
held for several days or transported over a long distance?
