MLS (ASCP): Hematology UPDATED
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
Variation in red cell size observed on the peripheral smear is described as:
A. Anisocytosis
B. Hypochromia
C. Poikilocytosis
D. Pleocytosis - CORRECT ANSWER - A. Anisocytosis
A mature erythrocyte is approximately 7-8um in diameter. Variation in normal size is denoted by
the term anisocytosis. Hypochromia is a term that indicates increased central pallor in
erythrocytes, and poikilocytosis denotes variation in red cell shape.
Which of the following is the preferable site for bone marrow aspiration and biopsy in an adult?
A. Iliac crest
B. Sternum
C. Tibia
D. Spinous processes of a vertebra - CORRECT ANSWER - A. Iliac crest
The iliac crest is the most frequently used site for bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. This site is
the safest and most easily accessible, with the bone just beneath the skin, and neither blood
vessels nor nerves are in the vicinity.
Mean cell volume (MCV) is calculated using the following formula:
A. (Hgb/RBC) x 10
B. (Hct/RBC) x 10
C. (Hct/Hgb) x 100
D. (Hgb/RBC) x 100 - CORRECT ANSWER - B. (Hct/RBC) x 10
, MCV is the average "volume" of the red cells. This is obtained by dividing the Hct or packed cell
volume (PCV) by the red blood cell (RBC) count in millions per microliter of blood and
multiplying by 10. The MCV is expressed in cubic microns (um^3) or femtoliters (fL).
What term describes the change in shape of erythrocytes seen on a Wright's -stained peripheral
blood smear?
A. Poikilocytosis
B. Anisocytosis
C. Hypochromia
D. Polychromasia - CORRECT ANSWER - A. Poikilocytosis
Variation in shape of the erythrocytes on a peripheral blood smear is poikilocytosis. Anisocytosis
refers to a change in size. Hypochromia is an increase in central pallor in erythrocytes.
Polychromasia describes the bluish tinge of the immature erythrocytes (reticulocytes) circulating
in the peripheral blood.
Calculate the mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) using the following values:
_______________________________________________
Hgb: 15 g/dL (150 g/L)
RBC: 4.50 x 10^6/uL (4.50 x 10^12/L)
Hct: 47 mL/dL (0.47)
_______________________________________________
A. 9.5% (.095)
B. 10.4% (.104)
C. 31.9% (.319)
D. 33.3% (.333) - CORRECT ANSWER - C. 31.9% (.319)
MCHC is the average concentration of Hgb in red cells expressed as a percentage. It expresses
the ratio of the weight of Hgb to the volume of erythrocytes and is calculated by dividing Hgb by
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
Variation in red cell size observed on the peripheral smear is described as:
A. Anisocytosis
B. Hypochromia
C. Poikilocytosis
D. Pleocytosis - CORRECT ANSWER - A. Anisocytosis
A mature erythrocyte is approximately 7-8um in diameter. Variation in normal size is denoted by
the term anisocytosis. Hypochromia is a term that indicates increased central pallor in
erythrocytes, and poikilocytosis denotes variation in red cell shape.
Which of the following is the preferable site for bone marrow aspiration and biopsy in an adult?
A. Iliac crest
B. Sternum
C. Tibia
D. Spinous processes of a vertebra - CORRECT ANSWER - A. Iliac crest
The iliac crest is the most frequently used site for bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. This site is
the safest and most easily accessible, with the bone just beneath the skin, and neither blood
vessels nor nerves are in the vicinity.
Mean cell volume (MCV) is calculated using the following formula:
A. (Hgb/RBC) x 10
B. (Hct/RBC) x 10
C. (Hct/Hgb) x 100
D. (Hgb/RBC) x 100 - CORRECT ANSWER - B. (Hct/RBC) x 10
, MCV is the average "volume" of the red cells. This is obtained by dividing the Hct or packed cell
volume (PCV) by the red blood cell (RBC) count in millions per microliter of blood and
multiplying by 10. The MCV is expressed in cubic microns (um^3) or femtoliters (fL).
What term describes the change in shape of erythrocytes seen on a Wright's -stained peripheral
blood smear?
A. Poikilocytosis
B. Anisocytosis
C. Hypochromia
D. Polychromasia - CORRECT ANSWER - A. Poikilocytosis
Variation in shape of the erythrocytes on a peripheral blood smear is poikilocytosis. Anisocytosis
refers to a change in size. Hypochromia is an increase in central pallor in erythrocytes.
Polychromasia describes the bluish tinge of the immature erythrocytes (reticulocytes) circulating
in the peripheral blood.
Calculate the mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) using the following values:
_______________________________________________
Hgb: 15 g/dL (150 g/L)
RBC: 4.50 x 10^6/uL (4.50 x 10^12/L)
Hct: 47 mL/dL (0.47)
_______________________________________________
A. 9.5% (.095)
B. 10.4% (.104)
C. 31.9% (.319)
D. 33.3% (.333) - CORRECT ANSWER - C. 31.9% (.319)
MCHC is the average concentration of Hgb in red cells expressed as a percentage. It expresses
the ratio of the weight of Hgb to the volume of erythrocytes and is calculated by dividing Hgb by
