ASCP MLS Hematology UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and
CORRECT Answers
1. Insufficient centrifugation will result A. Insuflcient centrifugation does not pack down
in: the
red blood cells; therefore, the Hct, which is the
A. A false increase in hematocrit (Hct) volume of packed cells, will increase.
value
B. A false decrease in Hct value
C. No effect on Hct value
D. All of these options, depending on
the patient
2. Variation in red cell size observed on A. A mature erythrocyte is approximately 7-8 μm in
the peripheral smear is described as: diameter. Variation in normal size is denoted by the
term anisocytosis. Hypochromia is a term that indi-
A. Anisocytosis cates increased central pallor in erythrocytes, and
B. Hypochromia poikilocytosis denotes variation in red cell shape.
C. Poikilocytosis
D. Pleocytosis
3. Which of the following is the prefer- A. The iliac crest is the most frequently used site for
able site for bone marrow aspiration bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. This site is the
and biopsy in an adult? safest and most easily accessible, with the bone
just
A. Iliac crest beneath the skin, and neither blood vessels nor
B. Sternum nerves are in the vicinity.
C. Tibia
D. Spinous processes of a vertebra
4. Mean cell volume (MCV) is calculated B. MCV is the average "volume" of the red cells. This
using the following formula: is
obtained by dividing the Hct or packed cell volume
A. (Hgb / RBC) × 10 (PCV) by the red blood cell (RBC) count in millions
B. (Hct / RBC) × 10 per
microliter of blood and multiplying by 10. The MCV
, C. (Hct / Hgb) × 100 is
D. (Hgb / RBC) × 100 expressed in cubic microns (μm3) or femtoliters
(fL).
5. What term describes the change A. Variation in shape of the erythrocytes on a periph-
in shape of erythrocytes seen on eral
a Wright's-stained peripheral blood blood smear is poikilocytosis. Anisocytosis refers to
smear? a
change in size. Hypochromia is an increase in cen-
A. Poikilocytosis tral
B. Anisocytosis pallor in erythrocytes. Polychromasia describes the
C. Hypochromia bluish tinge of the immature erythrocytes (reticulo-
D. Polychromasia cytes) circulating in the peripheral blood.
6. Calculate the mean cell hemoglobin C. MCHC is the average concentration of Hgb in red
concentration (MCHC) using the fol- cells expressed as a percentage. It expresses the
lowing values: ratio of the weight of Hgb to the volume of erythro-
cytes and is calculated by dividing Hgb by the Hct,
Hgb: 15 g/dL (150 g/L) and then multiplying by 100. A decreased MCHC in-
Hct: 47 mL/dL (0.47) dicates that cells are hypochromic. In this example,
RBC: 4.50 × 106/μL (4.50 × 1012/L) (15 ÷ 47) × 100 = 31.9%. The reference range for
MCHC is 32%-36%.
A. 9.5% (.095)
B. 10.4% (.104)
C. 31.9% (.319)
D. 33.3% (.333)
7. A manual white blood cell (WBC) A. The formula used for calculating manual cell
count was performed. A total of 36 counts
cells were counted in all 9-mm^2 using a hemacytometer is:
squares of a Neubauer-ruled hema-
cytometer. A 1:10 dilution was used. Number of cells counted × dilution factor × depth
What is the WBC count? factor (10) divided by the area.
, ASCP MLS Hematology
A. 0.4 × 10^9/L In this example, 36 × 10 × 10 = 3600 ÷ 9 =
B. 2.5 × 10^9/L 400/mm^3 or 0.4 × 10^9/L.
C. 4.0 × 10^9/L
D. 8.0 × 10^9/L
8. When an erythrocyte containing iron D. Siderocytes are red cells containing iron gran-
granules is stained with Prussian ules
blue, the cell is called a: and are visible when stained with Prussian blue.
A. Spherocyte
B. Leptocyte
C. Schistocyte
D. Siderocyte
9. A 7.0-mL ethylenediaminetetraacetic C. Excessive anticoagulant causes shrinkage of
acid (EDTA) tube is received in the cells;
laboratory containing only 2.0 mL of thus, the Hct will be affected. RBC and WBC counts
blood. If the laboratory is using man- remain the same, as does the Hgb content.
ual techniques, which of the follow-
ing tests will most likely be erro-
neous?
A. RBC count
B. Hemoglobin (Hgb)
C. Hct
D. WBC count
10. A 1:200 dilution of a patient's sam- B. RBC count = number of cells counted × dilution
ple was made and 336 red cells were factor × depth factor (10), divided by the area.
counted in an area of 0.2 mm^2. In this example, 336 × 200 × 10 = 672,000 ÷ 0.2 =
What is the RBC count? 3.36 ×
106/mm^3 = 3.36 × 10^12/L.
, ASCP MLS Hematology
A. 1.68 × 1012/L
B. 3.36 × 1012/L
C. 4.47 × 1012/L
D. 6.66 × 1012/L
11. What phagocytic cells produce D. Neutrophils are highly phagocytic and release
lysozymes that are bacteriocidal? lysozymes, peroxidase, and pyrogenic proteins.
Eosinophils migrate to sites where there is an aller-
A. Eosinophils gic reaction or parasitic infestation, releasing per-
B. Lymphocytes oxidase, pyrogens, and other enzymes, including an
C. Platelets oxidase that neutralizes histamine. They are poorly
D. Neutrophils phagocytic and do not release lysozyme.
12. If a patient has a reticulocyte count B. In anemic states, the reticulocyte percentage is
of 7% and an Hct of 20%, what is the not
corrected reticulocyte count? a true measure of reticulocyte production. The fol-
lowing formula must be applied to calculate the
A. 1.4% corrected (for anemia) reticulocyte count. Correct-
B. 3.1% ed
C. 3.5% reticulocyte count = reticulocytes (%) × Hct ÷ 45, the
D. 14% average normal Hct. In this case, 7 × (20 ÷ 45) = 3.1.
13. A decreased osmotic fragility test A. Osmotic fragility is decreased when numerous
would be associated with which of sickle
the following conditions? cells and target cells are present and is increased in
the presence of spherocytes. Spherocytes are
A. Sickle cell anemia a prominent feature of hereditary spherocytosis
B. Hereditary spherocytosis (HS),
C. Hemolytic disease of the newborn hemolytic disease of the newborn, and acquired
D. Acquired hemolytic anemia hemolytic anemia. The osmotic fragility test is in-
creased in the presence of spherocytes, whereas
CORRECT Answers
1. Insufficient centrifugation will result A. Insuflcient centrifugation does not pack down
in: the
red blood cells; therefore, the Hct, which is the
A. A false increase in hematocrit (Hct) volume of packed cells, will increase.
value
B. A false decrease in Hct value
C. No effect on Hct value
D. All of these options, depending on
the patient
2. Variation in red cell size observed on A. A mature erythrocyte is approximately 7-8 μm in
the peripheral smear is described as: diameter. Variation in normal size is denoted by the
term anisocytosis. Hypochromia is a term that indi-
A. Anisocytosis cates increased central pallor in erythrocytes, and
B. Hypochromia poikilocytosis denotes variation in red cell shape.
C. Poikilocytosis
D. Pleocytosis
3. Which of the following is the prefer- A. The iliac crest is the most frequently used site for
able site for bone marrow aspiration bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. This site is the
and biopsy in an adult? safest and most easily accessible, with the bone
just
A. Iliac crest beneath the skin, and neither blood vessels nor
B. Sternum nerves are in the vicinity.
C. Tibia
D. Spinous processes of a vertebra
4. Mean cell volume (MCV) is calculated B. MCV is the average "volume" of the red cells. This
using the following formula: is
obtained by dividing the Hct or packed cell volume
A. (Hgb / RBC) × 10 (PCV) by the red blood cell (RBC) count in millions
B. (Hct / RBC) × 10 per
microliter of blood and multiplying by 10. The MCV
, C. (Hct / Hgb) × 100 is
D. (Hgb / RBC) × 100 expressed in cubic microns (μm3) or femtoliters
(fL).
5. What term describes the change A. Variation in shape of the erythrocytes on a periph-
in shape of erythrocytes seen on eral
a Wright's-stained peripheral blood blood smear is poikilocytosis. Anisocytosis refers to
smear? a
change in size. Hypochromia is an increase in cen-
A. Poikilocytosis tral
B. Anisocytosis pallor in erythrocytes. Polychromasia describes the
C. Hypochromia bluish tinge of the immature erythrocytes (reticulo-
D. Polychromasia cytes) circulating in the peripheral blood.
6. Calculate the mean cell hemoglobin C. MCHC is the average concentration of Hgb in red
concentration (MCHC) using the fol- cells expressed as a percentage. It expresses the
lowing values: ratio of the weight of Hgb to the volume of erythro-
cytes and is calculated by dividing Hgb by the Hct,
Hgb: 15 g/dL (150 g/L) and then multiplying by 100. A decreased MCHC in-
Hct: 47 mL/dL (0.47) dicates that cells are hypochromic. In this example,
RBC: 4.50 × 106/μL (4.50 × 1012/L) (15 ÷ 47) × 100 = 31.9%. The reference range for
MCHC is 32%-36%.
A. 9.5% (.095)
B. 10.4% (.104)
C. 31.9% (.319)
D. 33.3% (.333)
7. A manual white blood cell (WBC) A. The formula used for calculating manual cell
count was performed. A total of 36 counts
cells were counted in all 9-mm^2 using a hemacytometer is:
squares of a Neubauer-ruled hema-
cytometer. A 1:10 dilution was used. Number of cells counted × dilution factor × depth
What is the WBC count? factor (10) divided by the area.
, ASCP MLS Hematology
A. 0.4 × 10^9/L In this example, 36 × 10 × 10 = 3600 ÷ 9 =
B. 2.5 × 10^9/L 400/mm^3 or 0.4 × 10^9/L.
C. 4.0 × 10^9/L
D. 8.0 × 10^9/L
8. When an erythrocyte containing iron D. Siderocytes are red cells containing iron gran-
granules is stained with Prussian ules
blue, the cell is called a: and are visible when stained with Prussian blue.
A. Spherocyte
B. Leptocyte
C. Schistocyte
D. Siderocyte
9. A 7.0-mL ethylenediaminetetraacetic C. Excessive anticoagulant causes shrinkage of
acid (EDTA) tube is received in the cells;
laboratory containing only 2.0 mL of thus, the Hct will be affected. RBC and WBC counts
blood. If the laboratory is using man- remain the same, as does the Hgb content.
ual techniques, which of the follow-
ing tests will most likely be erro-
neous?
A. RBC count
B. Hemoglobin (Hgb)
C. Hct
D. WBC count
10. A 1:200 dilution of a patient's sam- B. RBC count = number of cells counted × dilution
ple was made and 336 red cells were factor × depth factor (10), divided by the area.
counted in an area of 0.2 mm^2. In this example, 336 × 200 × 10 = 672,000 ÷ 0.2 =
What is the RBC count? 3.36 ×
106/mm^3 = 3.36 × 10^12/L.
, ASCP MLS Hematology
A. 1.68 × 1012/L
B. 3.36 × 1012/L
C. 4.47 × 1012/L
D. 6.66 × 1012/L
11. What phagocytic cells produce D. Neutrophils are highly phagocytic and release
lysozymes that are bacteriocidal? lysozymes, peroxidase, and pyrogenic proteins.
Eosinophils migrate to sites where there is an aller-
A. Eosinophils gic reaction or parasitic infestation, releasing per-
B. Lymphocytes oxidase, pyrogens, and other enzymes, including an
C. Platelets oxidase that neutralizes histamine. They are poorly
D. Neutrophils phagocytic and do not release lysozyme.
12. If a patient has a reticulocyte count B. In anemic states, the reticulocyte percentage is
of 7% and an Hct of 20%, what is the not
corrected reticulocyte count? a true measure of reticulocyte production. The fol-
lowing formula must be applied to calculate the
A. 1.4% corrected (for anemia) reticulocyte count. Correct-
B. 3.1% ed
C. 3.5% reticulocyte count = reticulocytes (%) × Hct ÷ 45, the
D. 14% average normal Hct. In this case, 7 × (20 ÷ 45) = 3.1.
13. A decreased osmotic fragility test A. Osmotic fragility is decreased when numerous
would be associated with which of sickle
the following conditions? cells and target cells are present and is increased in
the presence of spherocytes. Spherocytes are
A. Sickle cell anemia a prominent feature of hereditary spherocytosis
B. Hereditary spherocytosis (HS),
C. Hemolytic disease of the newborn hemolytic disease of the newborn, and acquired
D. Acquired hemolytic anemia hemolytic anemia. The osmotic fragility test is in-
creased in the presence of spherocytes, whereas
