ASCP MLS UPDATED ACTUAL Exam
Questions and CORRECT Answers
What feature is most often found with patients with a splenectomy on a Wright's stained blood
smear? - CORRECT ANSWER - Howell-Jolly bodies
Patients with antibody to the following antigen are immune to Hepatitis B: - CORRECT
ANSWER - Surface antigen (HbSAg)
Which two of the following tests are helpful for documenting previous Streptococcal throat and
skin infections: - CORRECT ANSWER - ASO titer and Anti-DNase B
In mass spectrometry, the "appearance potential" is defined as the: - CORRECT
ANSWER - Minimum energy required for the appearance of a particular fragment ion in
mass spectrum
What is generally accepted as the lower threshold value for semen pH from fertile males? -
CORRECT ANSWER - 7.2
Coulometry: - CORRECT ANSWER - An automated method for measuring chloride
which generates silver ions in the reaction
Erythroleukemia: - CORRECT ANSWER - Also known as Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
type M6. This type is associated with either the presence of both erythroid and myeloid
precursors OR strictly erythroid precursors.
Myelomonocytic leukemia - CORRECT ANSWER - Is associated with an increase in
myeloid and monocytic cell precursors, but not red blood cell precursors
Species that are Lysine (+), arginine (=) and ornithine (+): - CORRECT ANSWER -
Enterobacter aerogenes, Edwardsiella species and most Serratia species
,Lysine reaction for all Citrobacter: - CORRECT ANSWER - Negative
Key identifying characteristic for Pantoa (Enterobacter) agglomerans: - CORRECT
ANSWER - negative reactions for the three decarboxylases commonly tested ( Lysine,
arginine and ornithine)
Which organism is MOST likely responsible for septic reactions associated with Red Blood Cell
transfusions? - CORRECT ANSWER - Yersina entercolitica is most likely responsible for
septic reactions in transfusions of Red Blood Cells. This organism is usually acquired by
ingestion of contaminated food and causes mild symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Growth of Y. entercolitica is enhanced in iron-rich environments such as red cell components.
Gaucher's disease - CORRECT ANSWER - The most common lysosomal storage disease
caused by insufficient activity of the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase that leads to the
deposition of glucocerebroside in cells of the macrophage-monocyte system.
Diseases associated with dysfunctions of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) - CORRECT
ANSWER - Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CH), Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD),
Myeloperoxidase deficiency (MPO)
Nephrotic Syndrome: - CORRECT ANSWER - Caused by damage to the kidneys,
especially the basement membrane of the glomerulus; which causes abnormal excretion of
protein and red blood cells in the urine. Fats are also present in the urine in most cases. A foamy
appearance of the urine is a key characteristic of this condition.
Clinical symptoms include:
Swelling
Weight gain from fluid retention
Poor appetite
High blood pressure
, Key Biochemical reactions for Enterobacteriaceae: - CORRECT ANSWER - The key
biochemical reactions by which the family Enterobacteriaceae can be identified include
fermentation of carbohydrates, reduction of nitrates to nitrites and the absence of cytochrome
oxidase activity.
ANA - CORRECT ANSWER - See 2 quiz #27
Prozone effect: - CORRECT ANSWER - Results in a false positive reaction; is the result
of antibody excess and dilution of antibody can help prevent its occurrence
Purpose of a bi-chromatic analyzer with dual wavelengths is: - CORRECT ANSWER -
Minimize the effect of interference
Key characteristics of Micrococcus: - CORRECT ANSWER - Susceptible to bacitracin
("A") and resistant to furazolidone; gram positive cocci in tetras, bacteria cells of micrococcus
luteus are larger than those of the staphylococci and can arrange in tetras
What is the glomerular filtration rate for a patient with a serum creatinine of 2 mg/dL, if the
urine creatinine was 124 mg/dL and the urine volume was 2.2 L/24 hrs? - CORRECT
ANSWER - 95 mL/min
One method of calculating a glomerular filtration rate is using creatinine and urine volume to
determine creatinine clearance. The equation is as follows:
Creatinine Clearance = (urine creatinine X urine flow rate) / plasma creatinine; where urine flow
rate = volume in mL /24 hours x h/60 min)
In this case = creatinine clearance = 124 X (2200/24 x hour/60) / 2 = 94.7 or 95 ml/min
Estrogen and progesterone markers are most commonly used to provide prognostic information
about: - CORRECT ANSWER - Breast cancer
Questions and CORRECT Answers
What feature is most often found with patients with a splenectomy on a Wright's stained blood
smear? - CORRECT ANSWER - Howell-Jolly bodies
Patients with antibody to the following antigen are immune to Hepatitis B: - CORRECT
ANSWER - Surface antigen (HbSAg)
Which two of the following tests are helpful for documenting previous Streptococcal throat and
skin infections: - CORRECT ANSWER - ASO titer and Anti-DNase B
In mass spectrometry, the "appearance potential" is defined as the: - CORRECT
ANSWER - Minimum energy required for the appearance of a particular fragment ion in
mass spectrum
What is generally accepted as the lower threshold value for semen pH from fertile males? -
CORRECT ANSWER - 7.2
Coulometry: - CORRECT ANSWER - An automated method for measuring chloride
which generates silver ions in the reaction
Erythroleukemia: - CORRECT ANSWER - Also known as Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
type M6. This type is associated with either the presence of both erythroid and myeloid
precursors OR strictly erythroid precursors.
Myelomonocytic leukemia - CORRECT ANSWER - Is associated with an increase in
myeloid and monocytic cell precursors, but not red blood cell precursors
Species that are Lysine (+), arginine (=) and ornithine (+): - CORRECT ANSWER -
Enterobacter aerogenes, Edwardsiella species and most Serratia species
,Lysine reaction for all Citrobacter: - CORRECT ANSWER - Negative
Key identifying characteristic for Pantoa (Enterobacter) agglomerans: - CORRECT
ANSWER - negative reactions for the three decarboxylases commonly tested ( Lysine,
arginine and ornithine)
Which organism is MOST likely responsible for septic reactions associated with Red Blood Cell
transfusions? - CORRECT ANSWER - Yersina entercolitica is most likely responsible for
septic reactions in transfusions of Red Blood Cells. This organism is usually acquired by
ingestion of contaminated food and causes mild symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Growth of Y. entercolitica is enhanced in iron-rich environments such as red cell components.
Gaucher's disease - CORRECT ANSWER - The most common lysosomal storage disease
caused by insufficient activity of the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase that leads to the
deposition of glucocerebroside in cells of the macrophage-monocyte system.
Diseases associated with dysfunctions of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) - CORRECT
ANSWER - Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CH), Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD),
Myeloperoxidase deficiency (MPO)
Nephrotic Syndrome: - CORRECT ANSWER - Caused by damage to the kidneys,
especially the basement membrane of the glomerulus; which causes abnormal excretion of
protein and red blood cells in the urine. Fats are also present in the urine in most cases. A foamy
appearance of the urine is a key characteristic of this condition.
Clinical symptoms include:
Swelling
Weight gain from fluid retention
Poor appetite
High blood pressure
, Key Biochemical reactions for Enterobacteriaceae: - CORRECT ANSWER - The key
biochemical reactions by which the family Enterobacteriaceae can be identified include
fermentation of carbohydrates, reduction of nitrates to nitrites and the absence of cytochrome
oxidase activity.
ANA - CORRECT ANSWER - See 2 quiz #27
Prozone effect: - CORRECT ANSWER - Results in a false positive reaction; is the result
of antibody excess and dilution of antibody can help prevent its occurrence
Purpose of a bi-chromatic analyzer with dual wavelengths is: - CORRECT ANSWER -
Minimize the effect of interference
Key characteristics of Micrococcus: - CORRECT ANSWER - Susceptible to bacitracin
("A") and resistant to furazolidone; gram positive cocci in tetras, bacteria cells of micrococcus
luteus are larger than those of the staphylococci and can arrange in tetras
What is the glomerular filtration rate for a patient with a serum creatinine of 2 mg/dL, if the
urine creatinine was 124 mg/dL and the urine volume was 2.2 L/24 hrs? - CORRECT
ANSWER - 95 mL/min
One method of calculating a glomerular filtration rate is using creatinine and urine volume to
determine creatinine clearance. The equation is as follows:
Creatinine Clearance = (urine creatinine X urine flow rate) / plasma creatinine; where urine flow
rate = volume in mL /24 hours x h/60 min)
In this case = creatinine clearance = 124 X (2200/24 x hour/60) / 2 = 94.7 or 95 ml/min
Estrogen and progesterone markers are most commonly used to provide prognostic information
about: - CORRECT ANSWER - Breast cancer
