ASCP MLT EXAM SCRIPT 2026 PRACTICE
SOLUTION BUNDLED
◉ Which of the following can cause hemolysis and perhaps result in
recollection of the specimen? Answer: Pushing the plunger of a
syringe when transferring blood into vacuum tubes.
◉ A manual white blood cell count was performed by the
hematology technologist. The cell counts for both sides were 99 and
164, respectively. All nine large squares were counted on each side.
The dilution for this kit was pre-measured at 1:100. What should the
technologist report as the white cell count? Answer: Cannot report
When comparing the white cell counts from one side of the
hemacytometer to the other, there is not good duplication. Cell
counts from opposite sides of the hemacytometer (within the same
patient sample) that are greater than 10% of one another are
considered discrepant and should not be used to calculate
reportable results. This particular count should not be used to
report patient results.
◉ The RBC inclusions shown in the photograph represent which of
the following? Answer: Howell-Jolly bodies
,Howell-Jolly bodies are usually single, round, and tend to be
positioned at the periphery of the red blood cell. These inclusions
are rarely found on a routine peripheral blood smear, as they are
usually removed by a functioning spleen. Howell-Jolly bodies appear
in megaloblastic anemias and after splenectomy.
◉ Which of the following tests would be employed in order to detect
neural tube defects? Answer: Alpha fetoprotein
Alpha-fetoprotein is a protein measured in pregnant women, using
maternal blood or amniotic fluid, as a screening test for a subset
developmental abnormalities: it is principally increased in open
neural tube defects and decreased in Down syndrome.
◉ A patient has the following serum results:
Na = 130 mEq/LK = 4.9 mEq/LCl = 107 mEq/LGlucose = 300
mg/dLBUN = 18 mg/dLCreatinine = 1.1 mg/dL
Which osmolality result is consistent with these results?. Answer:
281 mosmol/kg
Osmolality = 2 x Na + [Glucose (mg/dL) / 20] + [BUN (mg/dL)/ 3]
◉ A liquid ion-exchange membrane electrode using the antibiotic
valinomycin is MOST selective for: Answer: Potassium
,The valinomycin membrane electrode is most selective for
potassium as opposed to sodium, glucose, or chloride which utilize
different membranes for their respective electrodes. Valinomycin,
which is neutral in charge, has been incorporated into organic liquid
membranes resulting in a sensor with a very high selectivity for
potassium.
◉ What should safety management start with in order to ensure
clarity and consistency? Answer: A written safety policy
◉ Which of the following statements about high-frequency antigens
is correct? Answer: High-frequency antigens are common, but it is
difficult to identify their corresponding antibodies.
◉ An adult's plasma cortisol of 22 µg/dL at 8:00 a.m. and 10 µg/dL
at 4:00 p.m. would be: Answer: Found in a healthy individual
Normal levels: 5-23 µg/dL at 8:00 a.m.
3-16 µg/dL at 4:00 p.m.
<50% of 8:00 a.m. values at 8:00 p.m.
◉ A peripheral smear demonstrates a population of red cells that
are mostly 5 - 5.5 µm in diameter. The CBC data shows RDW of 13%
(reference range 11.5-14.5%). Which of the following morphologies
, is consistent with these findings? Answer: Microcytosis, low
variation of cell volume
◉ Select the primary reagent components used in the Jaffe reaction
for creatinine. Answer: Saturated picric acid and sodium hydroxide
◉ Which of the following are markers currently used to differentiate
heart failure from lung disease? Answer: BNP and NT-proBNP
◉ Which of the following is a selective medium for Campylobacter
jejuni? Answer: Skirrow agar
◉ Which Lewis antigen(s) would be detected when phenotyping the
red cells of an adult who has the Le, Se, and H genes? Answer: Leb
The Se gene codes for the enzyme, a-2-L-fucosyltransferase, which
adds L-fucose to the type 1 precursor H (type 1). The Le gene codes
for another L-fucose which forms the Leb antigen.
◉ Illustrated in the top photograph are acid-fast bacilli as they may
appear in acid-fast stains prepared from a direct mount of infected
tissue. These acid fast bacilli are thin, slightly curved, red-pigmented
and beaded. The acid fast bacilli, as illustrated in the bottom
photograph, aggregate in serpentine chords in stained mounts
prepared from colonies growing on agar. From these observations,
SOLUTION BUNDLED
◉ Which of the following can cause hemolysis and perhaps result in
recollection of the specimen? Answer: Pushing the plunger of a
syringe when transferring blood into vacuum tubes.
◉ A manual white blood cell count was performed by the
hematology technologist. The cell counts for both sides were 99 and
164, respectively. All nine large squares were counted on each side.
The dilution for this kit was pre-measured at 1:100. What should the
technologist report as the white cell count? Answer: Cannot report
When comparing the white cell counts from one side of the
hemacytometer to the other, there is not good duplication. Cell
counts from opposite sides of the hemacytometer (within the same
patient sample) that are greater than 10% of one another are
considered discrepant and should not be used to calculate
reportable results. This particular count should not be used to
report patient results.
◉ The RBC inclusions shown in the photograph represent which of
the following? Answer: Howell-Jolly bodies
,Howell-Jolly bodies are usually single, round, and tend to be
positioned at the periphery of the red blood cell. These inclusions
are rarely found on a routine peripheral blood smear, as they are
usually removed by a functioning spleen. Howell-Jolly bodies appear
in megaloblastic anemias and after splenectomy.
◉ Which of the following tests would be employed in order to detect
neural tube defects? Answer: Alpha fetoprotein
Alpha-fetoprotein is a protein measured in pregnant women, using
maternal blood or amniotic fluid, as a screening test for a subset
developmental abnormalities: it is principally increased in open
neural tube defects and decreased in Down syndrome.
◉ A patient has the following serum results:
Na = 130 mEq/LK = 4.9 mEq/LCl = 107 mEq/LGlucose = 300
mg/dLBUN = 18 mg/dLCreatinine = 1.1 mg/dL
Which osmolality result is consistent with these results?. Answer:
281 mosmol/kg
Osmolality = 2 x Na + [Glucose (mg/dL) / 20] + [BUN (mg/dL)/ 3]
◉ A liquid ion-exchange membrane electrode using the antibiotic
valinomycin is MOST selective for: Answer: Potassium
,The valinomycin membrane electrode is most selective for
potassium as opposed to sodium, glucose, or chloride which utilize
different membranes for their respective electrodes. Valinomycin,
which is neutral in charge, has been incorporated into organic liquid
membranes resulting in a sensor with a very high selectivity for
potassium.
◉ What should safety management start with in order to ensure
clarity and consistency? Answer: A written safety policy
◉ Which of the following statements about high-frequency antigens
is correct? Answer: High-frequency antigens are common, but it is
difficult to identify their corresponding antibodies.
◉ An adult's plasma cortisol of 22 µg/dL at 8:00 a.m. and 10 µg/dL
at 4:00 p.m. would be: Answer: Found in a healthy individual
Normal levels: 5-23 µg/dL at 8:00 a.m.
3-16 µg/dL at 4:00 p.m.
<50% of 8:00 a.m. values at 8:00 p.m.
◉ A peripheral smear demonstrates a population of red cells that
are mostly 5 - 5.5 µm in diameter. The CBC data shows RDW of 13%
(reference range 11.5-14.5%). Which of the following morphologies
, is consistent with these findings? Answer: Microcytosis, low
variation of cell volume
◉ Select the primary reagent components used in the Jaffe reaction
for creatinine. Answer: Saturated picric acid and sodium hydroxide
◉ Which of the following are markers currently used to differentiate
heart failure from lung disease? Answer: BNP and NT-proBNP
◉ Which of the following is a selective medium for Campylobacter
jejuni? Answer: Skirrow agar
◉ Which Lewis antigen(s) would be detected when phenotyping the
red cells of an adult who has the Le, Se, and H genes? Answer: Leb
The Se gene codes for the enzyme, a-2-L-fucosyltransferase, which
adds L-fucose to the type 1 precursor H (type 1). The Le gene codes
for another L-fucose which forms the Leb antigen.
◉ Illustrated in the top photograph are acid-fast bacilli as they may
appear in acid-fast stains prepared from a direct mount of infected
tissue. These acid fast bacilli are thin, slightly curved, red-pigmented
and beaded. The acid fast bacilli, as illustrated in the bottom
photograph, aggregate in serpentine chords in stained mounts
prepared from colonies growing on agar. From these observations,
