MLS ASCP EXAM RECALL QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH SOLUTIONS 2024
Procainamide - ANSWER NAPA
loose clusters of small spherical microconidia, positive urease - ANSWER Trichophyton mentagrophytes
BHCG tumor marker - ANSWER chorocarcinoma
5HIAA - ANSWER carcinoid tumors
Proteus vulgaris vs P. mirabilis indole test - ANSWER P. vulgaris is indole pos. P. mirabilis is indole neg
Hydatid cyst fluid - ANSWER used to neutralize Anti-P1 antibody
Antacid overdose - ANSWER Check pH
Prolonged PT, PTT, and thrombin after collecting from catheter - ANSWER heparin contamination
mixing study that was performed with a prolonged PTT that couldn't be corrected - ANSWER 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 -
ANSWER check the CaCl/phospholipid reagent delivery
Patient is on coumadin therapy, what will be affected - ANSWER Decreased protein C
Lots of stomatocytes - ANSWER Liver disease
Burr cells - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER check for lipemia (elevates HGB)
PBS with an elevated reticulocyte count and howell jolly bodies in the RBC's - ANSWER Prussian blue for
howell jolly bodies made of iron. Prussian blue stain, which is not taken up by reticulocytes, is helpful in
differentiating the two.
what RBC inclusion is composed of DNA? - ANSWER howell jolly bodies
what falsely increases ESR - ANSWER vibration, tilting of tube, higher temps, >1 hr test time, improper
mixing of blood, improper dilution
factors decreasing ESR - ANSWER Polycythemia, Microcytosis (Hb C), Sickle cells, spherocytes, Anti-
inflammatory medications, Hypogammaglobulinemia, Hypofibrinogenemia (DIC), High WBC count,
Hyperviscosity
Factors increasing ESR - ANSWER Anemia, Macrocytosis, Female gender, Age >50 years, Obesity,
Pregnancy, Hypercholesterolemia, cancer, multiple myeloma, rouleaux, infections, inflammation
what falsely decreases ESR - ANSWER low blood/ room temps, air bubbles, tests <1 hr, improper mixing
of blood, improper dilution
lactic acid collection - ANSWER separate from serum and put on ice
AND ANSWERS WITH SOLUTIONS 2024
Procainamide - ANSWER NAPA
loose clusters of small spherical microconidia, positive urease - ANSWER Trichophyton mentagrophytes
BHCG tumor marker - ANSWER chorocarcinoma
5HIAA - ANSWER carcinoid tumors
Proteus vulgaris vs P. mirabilis indole test - ANSWER P. vulgaris is indole pos. P. mirabilis is indole neg
Hydatid cyst fluid - ANSWER used to neutralize Anti-P1 antibody
Antacid overdose - ANSWER Check pH
Prolonged PT, PTT, and thrombin after collecting from catheter - ANSWER heparin contamination
mixing study that was performed with a prolonged PTT that couldn't be corrected - ANSWER 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 -
ANSWER check the CaCl/phospholipid reagent delivery
Patient is on coumadin therapy, what will be affected - ANSWER Decreased protein C
Lots of stomatocytes - ANSWER Liver disease
Burr cells - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER check for lipemia (elevates HGB)
PBS with an elevated reticulocyte count and howell jolly bodies in the RBC's - ANSWER Prussian blue for
howell jolly bodies made of iron. Prussian blue stain, which is not taken up by reticulocytes, is helpful in
differentiating the two.
what RBC inclusion is composed of DNA? - ANSWER howell jolly bodies
what falsely increases ESR - ANSWER vibration, tilting of tube, higher temps, >1 hr test time, improper
mixing of blood, improper dilution
factors decreasing ESR - ANSWER Polycythemia, Microcytosis (Hb C), Sickle cells, spherocytes, Anti-
inflammatory medications, Hypogammaglobulinemia, Hypofibrinogenemia (DIC), High WBC count,
Hyperviscosity
Factors increasing ESR - ANSWER Anemia, Macrocytosis, Female gender, Age >50 years, Obesity,
Pregnancy, Hypercholesterolemia, cancer, multiple myeloma, rouleaux, infections, inflammation
what falsely decreases ESR - ANSWER low blood/ room temps, air bubbles, tests <1 hr, improper mixing
of blood, improper dilution
lactic acid collection - ANSWER separate from serum and put on ice
