ASCP MLS EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
What feature is most often found with patients with a splenectomy on a Wright's stained blood
smear? - ANS Howell-Jolly bodies
Patients with antibody to the following antigen are immune to Hepatitis B: - ANS Surface
antigen (HbSAg)
Which two of the following tests are helpful for documenting previous Streptococcal throat and
skin infections: - ANS ASO titer and Anti-DNase B
In mass spectrometry, the "appearance potential" is defined as the: - ANS 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? -
ANS 7.2
Coulometry: - ANS An automated method for measuring chloride which generates silver ions
in the reaction
Erythroleukemia: - ANS Also known as Acute Myelogenous Leukemia type M6. This type is
1
associated with either the presence of both erythroid and myeloid precursors OR strictly
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erythroid precursors.
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, Myelomonocytic leukemia - ANS Is associated with an increase in myeloid and monocytic cell
precursors, but not red blood cell precursors
Species that are Lysine (+), arginine (=) and ornithine (+): - ANS Enterobacter aerogenes,
Edwardsiella species and most Serratia species
Lysine reaction for all Citrobacter: - ANS Negative
Key identifying characteristic for Pantoa (Enterobacter) agglomerans: - ANS 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? - ANS 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 - ANS 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) -
ANS Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CH), Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD),
Myeloperoxidase deficiency (MPO)
Nephrotic Syndrome: - ANS 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.
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, Clinical symptoms include:
Swelling
Weight gain from fluid retention
Poor appetite
High blood pressure
Key Biochemical reactions for Enterobacteriaceae: - ANS 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 - ANS See 2 quiz #27
Prozone effect: - ANS 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: - ANS Minimize the effect of
interference
Key characteristics of Micrococcus: - ANS 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? - ANS 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)
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Page
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ANSWERS
What feature is most often found with patients with a splenectomy on a Wright's stained blood
smear? - ANS Howell-Jolly bodies
Patients with antibody to the following antigen are immune to Hepatitis B: - ANS Surface
antigen (HbSAg)
Which two of the following tests are helpful for documenting previous Streptococcal throat and
skin infections: - ANS ASO titer and Anti-DNase B
In mass spectrometry, the "appearance potential" is defined as the: - ANS 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? -
ANS 7.2
Coulometry: - ANS An automated method for measuring chloride which generates silver ions
in the reaction
Erythroleukemia: - ANS Also known as Acute Myelogenous Leukemia type M6. This type is
1
associated with either the presence of both erythroid and myeloid precursors OR strictly
Page
erythroid precursors.
@COPYRIGHT BRAINBARTER 2025/2026
, Myelomonocytic leukemia - ANS Is associated with an increase in myeloid and monocytic cell
precursors, but not red blood cell precursors
Species that are Lysine (+), arginine (=) and ornithine (+): - ANS Enterobacter aerogenes,
Edwardsiella species and most Serratia species
Lysine reaction for all Citrobacter: - ANS Negative
Key identifying characteristic for Pantoa (Enterobacter) agglomerans: - ANS 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? - ANS 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 - ANS 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) -
ANS Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CH), Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD),
Myeloperoxidase deficiency (MPO)
Nephrotic Syndrome: - ANS 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.
2
Page
@COPYRIGHT BRAINBARTER 2025/2026
, Clinical symptoms include:
Swelling
Weight gain from fluid retention
Poor appetite
High blood pressure
Key Biochemical reactions for Enterobacteriaceae: - ANS 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 - ANS See 2 quiz #27
Prozone effect: - ANS 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: - ANS Minimize the effect of
interference
Key characteristics of Micrococcus: - ANS 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? - ANS 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)
3
Page
@COPYRIGHT BRAINBARTER 2025/2026
