ASCP CG CERTIFICATION PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
SOLUTIONS 2024
What is the best agent to use against mycoplasma? - ANSWER BM cyclin - a combination of two
antibiotics (tiamulin and minocycline) that effecticely targets mycoplasma growth
For successful harvest, each new batch of hypotonic solution should be evaluated by: - ANSWER
comparing the new lot to a lot already in use
Colagenase, pronase, and trypsin are: - ANSWER Proteolytic enzymes - break down tissues into single-
cell suspensions
When harvesting peripheral blood cultures, asceptic technique no longer matters following incubation
with: - ANSWER Colcemid - mitotic spindle poison that halts cells at metaphase
Samples that arrive at the cytogenetics lab should first be: - ANSWER Logged in to the system
Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulates which type of cells into division? - ANSWER T-cell lymphocytes
To avoid culture failure, monitoring reagents is crucial. When logging a culture failure, what is the MOST
important to document? - ANSWER Expiration dates of reagents used
Which type of microscope is used when cleaning a CVS (chorionic villus) sample? - ANSWER Dissection
Which cell type is most problematic if found in a CVS (chorionic villus) sample? - ANSWER Decidua
(maternal tissue)
When looking at a slide under a phase contrast scope and a lot of cytoplasm is still seen around the
mets, what is the most likely cause? - ANSWER innappropriate slide drying time
,What will help prevent microbial contamination and cross contamination of cultures? - ANSWER Asceptic
technique
When there are not enough mets to complete the study of a patient/case, what needs to be done next? -
ANSWER prepare additional slides from any remaining sample
When looking at a dropped slide under a phase scope and mets are very spread out and sparse, what
could help fix the issue? - ANSWER Increading the drying time by using warm slides
What is true of an inverted microscope? - ANSWER the objectives are beneath the stage
High-resolution banding is indicated for a possible diagnosis of: - ANSWER DiGenorge syndrome --
microdeletion of 22q11, also called velocardiofacial syndrome
"velo" - soft palette,
"cardio" - congenital heart defects,
"facial" - unique abnormal facial features, short philtrum (upper lip indent), tubular nose, wide spread
eyes, etc
When verifying if a specimen is appropriate for cytogenetic analysis, what is the MOST important data to
accompany the specimen? - ANSWER Reason for referral
Which type of specimen should be requested for a cytogenetic analysis for turner syndrome? - ANSWER
Heparinized peripheral blood stored at room temperature
(NOT FROZEN)
A blood sample can be used to study the cytogenetics of a malignancy only if: - ANSWER Dividing
leukemic cells are present in circulation
All of the cultures in a CO2 incubator failed, what aspects of the incubator are important to monitor to
assess the source of the problem? - ANSWER Temperature,
, CO2 level, and
Humidity level
The most important factor affecting the quality of chromosomes viewed under a phase contrast scope is:
- ANSWER Slide drying after the cells have been dropped
What is the modal number (default number of chromosomes in a cell) for a Down syndrome
translocation carrier? - ANSWER 45
What is the best tissue to use for both a good success rate and abnormality detection in spontaneous
abortion miscarriages? - ANSWER Chorionic villi
What is a possible cause for a drying oven to not maintain a proper temperature? - ANSWER The door
does not seal properly
If a tech with a cold and sneezing does not take proper precautions while setting up amniotic fluid
samples, the specimen could become contaminated with: - ANSWER Mycoplasma
--> the most common contaminant by a sick tech and can be detected through a specific stain used on
the sample
mycoplasma can induce abnormalities in a sample, so it is important to avoid contamination
What about the metaphases on a slide are affected by slide making? - ANSWER Cell density - thru
dilution of the sample with fix
Banding - based on how dark/pale/refractive they are affects trypsin time
Chromosome spreading - affected by drying time
What test(s) should be ordered on a newborn with suspected Prader-Willi syndrome? - ANSWER High
resolution banding and FISH for the Prader-Willi locus on 15q11.2
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
SOLUTIONS 2024
What is the best agent to use against mycoplasma? - ANSWER BM cyclin - a combination of two
antibiotics (tiamulin and minocycline) that effecticely targets mycoplasma growth
For successful harvest, each new batch of hypotonic solution should be evaluated by: - ANSWER
comparing the new lot to a lot already in use
Colagenase, pronase, and trypsin are: - ANSWER Proteolytic enzymes - break down tissues into single-
cell suspensions
When harvesting peripheral blood cultures, asceptic technique no longer matters following incubation
with: - ANSWER Colcemid - mitotic spindle poison that halts cells at metaphase
Samples that arrive at the cytogenetics lab should first be: - ANSWER Logged in to the system
Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulates which type of cells into division? - ANSWER T-cell lymphocytes
To avoid culture failure, monitoring reagents is crucial. When logging a culture failure, what is the MOST
important to document? - ANSWER Expiration dates of reagents used
Which type of microscope is used when cleaning a CVS (chorionic villus) sample? - ANSWER Dissection
Which cell type is most problematic if found in a CVS (chorionic villus) sample? - ANSWER Decidua
(maternal tissue)
When looking at a slide under a phase contrast scope and a lot of cytoplasm is still seen around the
mets, what is the most likely cause? - ANSWER innappropriate slide drying time
,What will help prevent microbial contamination and cross contamination of cultures? - ANSWER Asceptic
technique
When there are not enough mets to complete the study of a patient/case, what needs to be done next? -
ANSWER prepare additional slides from any remaining sample
When looking at a dropped slide under a phase scope and mets are very spread out and sparse, what
could help fix the issue? - ANSWER Increading the drying time by using warm slides
What is true of an inverted microscope? - ANSWER the objectives are beneath the stage
High-resolution banding is indicated for a possible diagnosis of: - ANSWER DiGenorge syndrome --
microdeletion of 22q11, also called velocardiofacial syndrome
"velo" - soft palette,
"cardio" - congenital heart defects,
"facial" - unique abnormal facial features, short philtrum (upper lip indent), tubular nose, wide spread
eyes, etc
When verifying if a specimen is appropriate for cytogenetic analysis, what is the MOST important data to
accompany the specimen? - ANSWER Reason for referral
Which type of specimen should be requested for a cytogenetic analysis for turner syndrome? - ANSWER
Heparinized peripheral blood stored at room temperature
(NOT FROZEN)
A blood sample can be used to study the cytogenetics of a malignancy only if: - ANSWER Dividing
leukemic cells are present in circulation
All of the cultures in a CO2 incubator failed, what aspects of the incubator are important to monitor to
assess the source of the problem? - ANSWER Temperature,
, CO2 level, and
Humidity level
The most important factor affecting the quality of chromosomes viewed under a phase contrast scope is:
- ANSWER Slide drying after the cells have been dropped
What is the modal number (default number of chromosomes in a cell) for a Down syndrome
translocation carrier? - ANSWER 45
What is the best tissue to use for both a good success rate and abnormality detection in spontaneous
abortion miscarriages? - ANSWER Chorionic villi
What is a possible cause for a drying oven to not maintain a proper temperature? - ANSWER The door
does not seal properly
If a tech with a cold and sneezing does not take proper precautions while setting up amniotic fluid
samples, the specimen could become contaminated with: - ANSWER Mycoplasma
--> the most common contaminant by a sick tech and can be detected through a specific stain used on
the sample
mycoplasma can induce abnormalities in a sample, so it is important to avoid contamination
What about the metaphases on a slide are affected by slide making? - ANSWER Cell density - thru
dilution of the sample with fix
Banding - based on how dark/pale/refractive they are affects trypsin time
Chromosome spreading - affected by drying time
What test(s) should be ordered on a newborn with suspected Prader-Willi syndrome? - ANSWER High
resolution banding and FISH for the Prader-Willi locus on 15q11.2
