Certified Cytotechnologist (CT) Exam
Questions And Answers|100
%C0rrect|Grade A+
1. Which of the following is the most common site for squamous cell
carcinoma in females?
A. Endometrium
B. Cervix
C. Ovary
D. Vagina
Rationale: The cervix is the most common site for squamous cell carcinoma in
females due to persistent HPV infection.
2. What is the primary purpose of the Pap smear?
A. Detect ovarian cancer
B. Detect endometrial hyperplasia
C. Screen for cervical cancer
D. Diagnose uterine fibroids
Rationale: The Pap smear is a screening tool specifically for detecting
precancerous or cancerous lesions of the cervix.
3. In liquid-based cytology, which preservative is commonly used?
A. Formalin
B. Alcohol-based fixative
C. Saline
D. Glutaraldehyde
Rationale: Alcohol-based fixatives preserve cellular morphology and prevent
air-drying artifacts in liquid-based cytology.
4. The presence of koilocytes on a Pap smear suggests:
A. Bacterial infection
B. Fungal infection
C. HPV infection
D. Normal variant
,Rationale: Koilocytosis is a cytopathic effect caused by human papillomavirus
(HPV).
5. Which stain is most commonly used for Pap smears?
A. H&E
B. Papanicolaou stain
C. Giemsa
D. Wright stain
Rationale: The Papanicolaou stain allows differentiation of nuclear and
cytoplasmic details critical for screening cervical lesions.
6. A “clean background” in a Pap smear indicates:
A. Presence of inflammation
B. Adequate sample preparation
C. Bacterial contamination
D. Degenerated cells
Rationale: A clean background improves interpretation by reducing obscuring
materials like blood or mucus.
7. Which of the following is considered a high-grade squamous intraepithelial
lesion (HSIL)?
A. ASC-US
B. CIN 2–3
C. LSIL
D. AGC
Rationale: HSIL encompasses CIN 2 and CIN 3, indicating a higher risk of
progression to invasive carcinoma.
8. ASC-US on a Pap smear refers to:
A. Abnormal squamous cells of unknown significance
B. Atypical glandular cells
C. Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance
D. High-grade lesion
Rationale: ASC-US is a common cytologic finding and often requires HPV testing
for triage.
9. The ThinPrep Pap test is an example of:
, A. Conventional smear
B. Liquid-based cytology
C. Histology section
D. Frozen section
Rationale: ThinPrep is a liquid-based cytology technique that provides uniform,
monolayer cell distribution.
10. The most common infectious agent detected in cervical cytology is:
A. Chlamydia trachomatis
B. Human papillomavirus (HPV)
C. Candida albicans
D. Herpes simplex virus
Rationale: HPV is the most frequent viral infection identified during cervical
cytology screening.
11. What is the main feature of LSIL on a Pap smear?
A. Marked nuclear atypia
B. Koilocytic changes and mild nuclear abnormalities
C. Stromal invasion
D. Glandular atypia
Rationale: LSIL reflects mild dysplasia with nuclear enlargement,
hyperchromasia, and koilocytosis.
12. The Bethesda System is used for:
A. Histologic grading of breast cancer
B. Reporting cervical cytology
C. Blood smear evaluation
D. Microbial identification
Rationale: The Bethesda System standardizes cervical cytology reporting and
management recommendations.
13. What type of cells are predominant in endocervical smears?
A. Squamous cells
B. Columnar epithelial cells
C. Lymphocytes
D. Neutrophils
Rationale: Endocervical cells are columnar and are important for evaluating
glandular lesions.
Questions And Answers|100
%C0rrect|Grade A+
1. Which of the following is the most common site for squamous cell
carcinoma in females?
A. Endometrium
B. Cervix
C. Ovary
D. Vagina
Rationale: The cervix is the most common site for squamous cell carcinoma in
females due to persistent HPV infection.
2. What is the primary purpose of the Pap smear?
A. Detect ovarian cancer
B. Detect endometrial hyperplasia
C. Screen for cervical cancer
D. Diagnose uterine fibroids
Rationale: The Pap smear is a screening tool specifically for detecting
precancerous or cancerous lesions of the cervix.
3. In liquid-based cytology, which preservative is commonly used?
A. Formalin
B. Alcohol-based fixative
C. Saline
D. Glutaraldehyde
Rationale: Alcohol-based fixatives preserve cellular morphology and prevent
air-drying artifacts in liquid-based cytology.
4. The presence of koilocytes on a Pap smear suggests:
A. Bacterial infection
B. Fungal infection
C. HPV infection
D. Normal variant
,Rationale: Koilocytosis is a cytopathic effect caused by human papillomavirus
(HPV).
5. Which stain is most commonly used for Pap smears?
A. H&E
B. Papanicolaou stain
C. Giemsa
D. Wright stain
Rationale: The Papanicolaou stain allows differentiation of nuclear and
cytoplasmic details critical for screening cervical lesions.
6. A “clean background” in a Pap smear indicates:
A. Presence of inflammation
B. Adequate sample preparation
C. Bacterial contamination
D. Degenerated cells
Rationale: A clean background improves interpretation by reducing obscuring
materials like blood or mucus.
7. Which of the following is considered a high-grade squamous intraepithelial
lesion (HSIL)?
A. ASC-US
B. CIN 2–3
C. LSIL
D. AGC
Rationale: HSIL encompasses CIN 2 and CIN 3, indicating a higher risk of
progression to invasive carcinoma.
8. ASC-US on a Pap smear refers to:
A. Abnormal squamous cells of unknown significance
B. Atypical glandular cells
C. Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance
D. High-grade lesion
Rationale: ASC-US is a common cytologic finding and often requires HPV testing
for triage.
9. The ThinPrep Pap test is an example of:
, A. Conventional smear
B. Liquid-based cytology
C. Histology section
D. Frozen section
Rationale: ThinPrep is a liquid-based cytology technique that provides uniform,
monolayer cell distribution.
10. The most common infectious agent detected in cervical cytology is:
A. Chlamydia trachomatis
B. Human papillomavirus (HPV)
C. Candida albicans
D. Herpes simplex virus
Rationale: HPV is the most frequent viral infection identified during cervical
cytology screening.
11. What is the main feature of LSIL on a Pap smear?
A. Marked nuclear atypia
B. Koilocytic changes and mild nuclear abnormalities
C. Stromal invasion
D. Glandular atypia
Rationale: LSIL reflects mild dysplasia with nuclear enlargement,
hyperchromasia, and koilocytosis.
12. The Bethesda System is used for:
A. Histologic grading of breast cancer
B. Reporting cervical cytology
C. Blood smear evaluation
D. Microbial identification
Rationale: The Bethesda System standardizes cervical cytology reporting and
management recommendations.
13. What type of cells are predominant in endocervical smears?
A. Squamous cells
B. Columnar epithelial cells
C. Lymphocytes
D. Neutrophils
Rationale: Endocervical cells are columnar and are important for evaluating
glandular lesions.
