1 | Page
ASCP MLS 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
associated with either the presence of both erythroid and myeloid
precursors OR strictly erythroid precursors.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
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:
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
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.
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
© 2025 All rights reserved
ASCP MLS 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
associated with either the presence of both erythroid and myeloid
precursors OR strictly erythroid precursors.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
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:
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
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.
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
© 2025 All rights reserved
