MLT ASCP Practice Test Questions board
practice UPDATED 2025/2026 ANSWERS
HIGHLY GRADED A+
Illustrated in this photograph is an agar quadrant plate containing casein (A), tyrosine
(B), nitrate (C) and xanthine (D). None of the substrates have been hydrolyzed and
nitrate has been reduced. The most likely identification is:
A. Nocardia asteroides
B. Nocardia brasiliensis
C. Streptomyces griseus
D. Actinomadura madurae
A;
Since hemoglobin is measured spectrophotometrically on hematology analzyers,
interference from lipemia or icteric specimens can lead to decreased light detected and
measured through the sample and therefore inaccurate hemoglobin results occur. -
CORRECT ANSWERS--On an electronic cell counter, hemoglobin determination may
be falsely elevated caused by the presence of:
A. Lipemic or icteric plasma
B. Leukocytopenia or Leukocytosis
C. Rouleaux or agglutinated RBCs
D. Anemia or Polycythemia
False
A patient who has a primarily vegetarian diet will most likely have an alkaline urine pH.
A low-carbohydrate diet as well as the ingestion of citrus fruits can also lead to a more
alkaline urine sample. - CORRECT ANSWERS--A patient who has a primarily
vegetarian diet will most likely have an acid urine pH.
A;
During primary hypothyroidism, where a defect in the thryoid gland is producing low
levels of T3 and T4, the TSH level is increased. TSH is released in elevated quantities
in an attempt to stimulate the thryoid to produce more T3 and T4 as part of a feedback
mechanism. - CORRECT ANSWERS--Serum TSH levels five-times the upper limit of
normal in the presence of a low T4 and low T3 uptake could mean which of the
following:
A. The thyroid has been established as the cause of hypothyroidism
,B. The thyroid is ruled-out as the cause of hypothyroidism
C. The pituitary has been established as the cause of hypothyroidism
D. The diagnosis is consistent with secondary hyperthyroidism
A;
Fusarium species is the most likely associated with mycotic keratitis.
Trichophyton rubrum is a dermatophyte that commonly causes an itching, scaling skin
infection of the feet, known as tinea pedis. Scedosporium apiospermum is commonly
associated with sinusitis. Aspergillus niger typically causes otitis externa and can also
be associated with sinusitis. - CORRECT ANSWERS--Which of the following species or
organisms is the most likely to be the cause of mycotic keratitis (fungal eye infection)?
A. Fusarium species
B. Trichophyton rubrum.
C. Scedosporium apiospermum
D. Aspergillus niger
A;
Oxalate, EDTA, and citrate are anticoagulants that inhibit clot formation. - CORRECT
ANSWERS--Which of the following blood additives is most useful for serum collection:
A. Polymer barrier
B. Oxalate
C. EDTA
D. Citrate
B;
This patient is most likely suffering from an immediate-acting coagulation inhibitor; most
commonly, lupus anticoagulant. Notice that the addition of normal pooled plasma does
not correct upon initial or incubated mix, which means that the inhibitor is not time or
temperature-dependent.
Factor VIII is not the correct answer as a factor deficiency would have corrected upon
the addition of normal pooled plasma. Factor VII is not the correct answer, as the aPTT
assay does not account for factor VII activity or concentration. - CORRECT ANSWERS-
-The laboratorian completed the mixing study ordered for John Doe. The results are as
follows:
Initial aPTT result: 167 seconds
Initial 1:1 Mix with Normal Pooled Plasma: 158 seconds
Incubated 1:1 Mix with Normal Pooled Plasma: 150 seconds
Which of the choices below would most likely explain the results for this patient?
A. Factor VIII deficiency
, B. Immediate-acting coagulation inhibitor
C. Time/temperature-dependent coagulation inhibitor
D. Factor VII deficiency
A;
HbsAg is positive in acute and chronic Hepatitis B infections, since the antigen is found
on the actual surface of the virus. HbeAg is present in the blood when the hepatitis B
viruses are replicating, indicating an active infection. Anti-Hbc IgM is present due to the
immune response to the presence of the hepatitis core antigen and indicates an acute
infection. Anti-HBs is generally interpreted as indicating recovery and immunity from
hepatitis B virus infection, according to the CDC. - CORRECT ANSWERS--Given the
following results, what is the immune status of the patient?
HbsAg: positive
HbeAg: positive
Anti-HBc IgM: positive
Anti-HBs: negative
A. acute infection
B. chronic infection
C. immunization
D. susceptible
A;
Albumin is a "negative" acute phase protein since it is found in decreased levels during
acute phase response. Alpha-1-antitrypsin, fibrinogen, and ceruloplasmin are all
"positive" acute phase proteins that are found in increased levels during acute phase
response. - CORRECT ANSWERS--Which one of the following usually shows a
decrease during an acute phase response?
A. Albumin
B. Alpha-1 Antitrypsin
C. Fibrinogen
D. Ceruloplasmin
False
Because lower titers could be due to both passive and immune anti-D, in the absence of
results that suggest immune anti-D, routine antibody titration is not a good use of time
compared to assuming that anti-D is passive.
Best practice guidelines do NOT recommend routine titration for women known to be
injected with RhIg and exhibiting a 2+ or less reaction with D+ red cells consistent with
passive anti-D from RhIg. - CORRECT ANSWERS--True/False
A pregnant female who received RhIg at 28 weeks gestation has a positive antibody
screen at delivery. If the antibody has been confirmed as anti-D alone and reacts 1+ in
practice UPDATED 2025/2026 ANSWERS
HIGHLY GRADED A+
Illustrated in this photograph is an agar quadrant plate containing casein (A), tyrosine
(B), nitrate (C) and xanthine (D). None of the substrates have been hydrolyzed and
nitrate has been reduced. The most likely identification is:
A. Nocardia asteroides
B. Nocardia brasiliensis
C. Streptomyces griseus
D. Actinomadura madurae
A;
Since hemoglobin is measured spectrophotometrically on hematology analzyers,
interference from lipemia or icteric specimens can lead to decreased light detected and
measured through the sample and therefore inaccurate hemoglobin results occur. -
CORRECT ANSWERS--On an electronic cell counter, hemoglobin determination may
be falsely elevated caused by the presence of:
A. Lipemic or icteric plasma
B. Leukocytopenia or Leukocytosis
C. Rouleaux or agglutinated RBCs
D. Anemia or Polycythemia
False
A patient who has a primarily vegetarian diet will most likely have an alkaline urine pH.
A low-carbohydrate diet as well as the ingestion of citrus fruits can also lead to a more
alkaline urine sample. - CORRECT ANSWERS--A patient who has a primarily
vegetarian diet will most likely have an acid urine pH.
A;
During primary hypothyroidism, where a defect in the thryoid gland is producing low
levels of T3 and T4, the TSH level is increased. TSH is released in elevated quantities
in an attempt to stimulate the thryoid to produce more T3 and T4 as part of a feedback
mechanism. - CORRECT ANSWERS--Serum TSH levels five-times the upper limit of
normal in the presence of a low T4 and low T3 uptake could mean which of the
following:
A. The thyroid has been established as the cause of hypothyroidism
,B. The thyroid is ruled-out as the cause of hypothyroidism
C. The pituitary has been established as the cause of hypothyroidism
D. The diagnosis is consistent with secondary hyperthyroidism
A;
Fusarium species is the most likely associated with mycotic keratitis.
Trichophyton rubrum is a dermatophyte that commonly causes an itching, scaling skin
infection of the feet, known as tinea pedis. Scedosporium apiospermum is commonly
associated with sinusitis. Aspergillus niger typically causes otitis externa and can also
be associated with sinusitis. - CORRECT ANSWERS--Which of the following species or
organisms is the most likely to be the cause of mycotic keratitis (fungal eye infection)?
A. Fusarium species
B. Trichophyton rubrum.
C. Scedosporium apiospermum
D. Aspergillus niger
A;
Oxalate, EDTA, and citrate are anticoagulants that inhibit clot formation. - CORRECT
ANSWERS--Which of the following blood additives is most useful for serum collection:
A. Polymer barrier
B. Oxalate
C. EDTA
D. Citrate
B;
This patient is most likely suffering from an immediate-acting coagulation inhibitor; most
commonly, lupus anticoagulant. Notice that the addition of normal pooled plasma does
not correct upon initial or incubated mix, which means that the inhibitor is not time or
temperature-dependent.
Factor VIII is not the correct answer as a factor deficiency would have corrected upon
the addition of normal pooled plasma. Factor VII is not the correct answer, as the aPTT
assay does not account for factor VII activity or concentration. - CORRECT ANSWERS-
-The laboratorian completed the mixing study ordered for John Doe. The results are as
follows:
Initial aPTT result: 167 seconds
Initial 1:1 Mix with Normal Pooled Plasma: 158 seconds
Incubated 1:1 Mix with Normal Pooled Plasma: 150 seconds
Which of the choices below would most likely explain the results for this patient?
A. Factor VIII deficiency
, B. Immediate-acting coagulation inhibitor
C. Time/temperature-dependent coagulation inhibitor
D. Factor VII deficiency
A;
HbsAg is positive in acute and chronic Hepatitis B infections, since the antigen is found
on the actual surface of the virus. HbeAg is present in the blood when the hepatitis B
viruses are replicating, indicating an active infection. Anti-Hbc IgM is present due to the
immune response to the presence of the hepatitis core antigen and indicates an acute
infection. Anti-HBs is generally interpreted as indicating recovery and immunity from
hepatitis B virus infection, according to the CDC. - CORRECT ANSWERS--Given the
following results, what is the immune status of the patient?
HbsAg: positive
HbeAg: positive
Anti-HBc IgM: positive
Anti-HBs: negative
A. acute infection
B. chronic infection
C. immunization
D. susceptible
A;
Albumin is a "negative" acute phase protein since it is found in decreased levels during
acute phase response. Alpha-1-antitrypsin, fibrinogen, and ceruloplasmin are all
"positive" acute phase proteins that are found in increased levels during acute phase
response. - CORRECT ANSWERS--Which one of the following usually shows a
decrease during an acute phase response?
A. Albumin
B. Alpha-1 Antitrypsin
C. Fibrinogen
D. Ceruloplasmin
False
Because lower titers could be due to both passive and immune anti-D, in the absence of
results that suggest immune anti-D, routine antibody titration is not a good use of time
compared to assuming that anti-D is passive.
Best practice guidelines do NOT recommend routine titration for women known to be
injected with RhIg and exhibiting a 2+ or less reaction with D+ red cells consistent with
passive anti-D from RhIg. - CORRECT ANSWERS--True/False
A pregnant female who received RhIg at 28 weeks gestation has a positive antibody
screen at delivery. If the antibody has been confirmed as anti-D alone and reacts 1+ in
