BOC Processing Exam - Questions and Answers

BOC Processing Exam - Questions and Answers Paraffin belongs to this class of chemicals: A. Low weight alkanes B. Long chain hydrocarbons C. Hydroxyls D. Amines For BEST results, before decalcification in acids, a buffered formalin fixed specimen should be: A. Washed with water to remove phosphates B. Placed in Helly fluid to counteract the formalin C. Washed in water to reverse incomplete fixation D. Washed in ammonia water to raise the pH When EDTA is used as a decalcifier, the recommended pH of the solution is: A. 3.0-4.0 B. 6.0-6.5 C. 7.0-7.4 D. 8.6-9.0 Of the following, which describes when a bone does NOT have to be fixed before decalcification? A. Specimen is a fresh bone marrow B. Nitric acid is used as the decalcifier and acts as a fixative C. Specimen is a femoral head section D. Decalcifier is combined with fixative in one solution A well fixed, properly decalcified specimen will show all of the following EXCEPT: A. Preservation of nuclear detail B. Retention of calcium in the tissue C. Differential staining of nuclei and cytoplasm D. Good tissue morphology Although benzene is rarely used as a clearing agent, one advantage is that it: A. Evaporates rapidly from paraffin, so waxes don't need to be changed on processor B. Can be disposed of in the municipal water supply C. Has no evidence of toxicity D. Slow acting, so its penetration can be monitored easily Of the chemical reagents used for decalcification, which one is slower acting than others? A. Hydrochloric B. Nitric C. Formic D. EDTA In order to pour decalcification acids down the drain, they must be: A. Less than 1% in concentration B. More than pH 11 C. Treated with 10% acetic acid D. Neutralized with 1% sodium bicarbonate When tissue is fixed in formaldehyde primary fixative and then placed directly in hydrochloric acid for decalcification, what is an expected outcome? A. The carbon dioxide hat is released smells like motor oil B. A carcinogen can be chemically formed C. The bone will decalcify much slower than when specimen is washed D. Any calcium salts will sink to the bottom of the container When a lab uses tetrahydrofuran in tissue processing, they type of tissue specimen that will most likely show distortion is: A. Breast reduction B. Colon resection C. Lung biopsy D. Gall bladder Which of the following acid decalcification methods requires LESS frequent changing of the solution? A. Ion exchange B. Hydrochloric acid used alone C. Heated hydrochloric acid D. EDTA Ethyl alcohols used in tissue processing may be made unfit for human consumption by the commercial addition of: A. Eosin B. Xylene C. Methanol D. Water When surface decalcification is employed during microtomy, the following steps are recommended: A. Face the block and then treat with decalcification solution B. Place un-faced block into EDTA for 30 to 60 minutes C. Hold a gauze soaked in ammonia on the block face for 5 minutes D. Float the ribbon on a water bath filled with 5% nitric acid The schedule for monitoring decalcification completeness should be: A. Every 3 to 4 hours when EDTA is used B. Once a day, for any decalcification solution C. Once every 2 days when any 5% acid solution is used D. Depends on strength of decal solution used Microwave processing is most useful for which of the following specimen types? A. Mastectomy B. Transplant biopsy C. Colon resection D. Appendix When employing microwave processing, the tissue sample should be: A. Up to 4 mm thick B. Processed in a household microwave C. Heated above 84 C D. Fixed before processing The major benefit of microwave processing is: A. Decreased time for completion B. Increased reagent use C. No fixation needed D. Temps up to 80 C are achieved During paraffin processing, how many changes of paraffin wax are recommended for adequate infiltration?