Harr Hematology Exam Questions with Verified Solutions
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1. Insufficient centrifugation will result in:
A. A false increase in hematocrit (Hct) value
B. A false decrease in Hct value
C. No effect on Hct value
D. All of these options, depending on the patient: A Insufficient centrifugation does not pack
down the red blood cells; therefore, the Hct, which is the volume of packed cells, will increase.
2. Variation in red cell size observed on the peripheral smear is described as:
A. Anisocytosis
B. Hypochromia
C. Poikilocytosis
D. Pleocytosis: A A mature erythrocyte is approximately 7-8 μm in diameter. Variation in normal size is denoted
by the term anisocytosis. Hypochromia is a term that indicates increased central pallor in erythrocytes, and poikilocytosis
denotes variation in red cell shape.
3. Which of the following is the preferable site for bone marrow aspiration and
biopsy in an adult?
A. Iliac crest
B. Sternum
C. Tibia
D. Spinous processes of a vertebra: A The iliac crest is the most frequently used site for one marrow
aspiration and biopsy. This site is the safest and most easily accessible, with the bone just beneath the skin, and neither
blood vessels nor nerves are in the vicinity.
, Harr Hematology Exam Questions with Verified Solutions
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4. Mean cell volume (MCV) is calculated using the following formula:
A. (Hgb ÷ RBC) × 10
B. (Hct ÷ RBC) × 10
C. (Hct ÷ Hgb) × 100
D. (Hgb ÷ RBC) × 100: B MCV is the average "volume" of the red cells. This is obtained by dividing the Hct
or packed cell volume PCV) by the red blood cell (RBC) count in millions per microliter of blood and multiplying by 10.
The MCV is expressed in cubic microns (μm3) or femtoliters (fL).
5. What term describes the change in shape of erythrocytes seen on a
Wright's-stained peripheral blood smear?
A. Poikilocytosis
B. Anisocytosis
C. Hypochromia
D. Polychromasia: A Variation in shape of the erythrocytes on a peripheral blood smear is poikilocytosis.
Anisocytosis refers to a change in size. Hypochromia is an increase in central pallor in erythrocytes. Polychromasia
describes the bluish tinge of the immature erythrocytes (reticulocytes) circulating in the peripheral blood.
6. Calculate the mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) using the follow-
ing values:
Hgb: 15 g/dL (150 g/L)
Hct: 47 mL/dL (0.47)
RBC: 4.50 × 106/μL (4.50 × 1012/L)
A. 9.5% (.095)
, Harr Hematology Exam Questions with Verified Solutions
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B. 10.4% (.104)
C. 31.9% (.319)
D. 33.3% (.333): C MCHC is the average concentration of Hgb in red cells expressed as a percentage. It expresses
the ratio of the weight of Hgb to the volume of erythrocytes and is calculated by dividing Hgb by the Hct, and then
multiplying by 100. A decreased MCHC indicates that cells are hypochromic. In this example, (15 ÷ 47) × 100 = 31.9%.
The reference range for MCHC is 32%-36%.
7. A manual white blood cell (WBC) count was performed. A total of 36 cells
were counted in all 9-mm2 squares of a Neubauer-ruled hemacytometer. A 1:10
dilution was used. What is the WBC count?
A. 0.4 × 109/L
B. 2.5 × 109/L
C. 4.0 × 109/L
D. 8.0 × 109/L: A The formula used for calculating manual cell counts using a hemacytometer is: Number of cells
counted × dilution factor × depth factor (10) divided by the area. In this example, 36 × 10 × 10 = 3600 ÷ 9 = 400/mm3
or 0.4 × 109/L.
8. When an erythrocyte containing iron granules is
stained with Prussian blue, the cell is called a:
A. Spherocyte
B. Leptocyte
C. Schistocyte
D. Siderocyte: D Siderocytes are red cells containing iron granules and are visible when stained with Prussian
blue.
, Harr Hematology Exam Questions with Verified Solutions
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9. A 7.0-mL ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) tube is received in the lab-
oratory containing only 2.0 mL of blood. If the laboratory is using manual
techniques, which of the following tests will most likely be erroneous?
A. RBC count
B. Hemoglobin (Hgb)
C. Hct
D. WBC count: C Excessive anticoagulant causes shrinkage of cells; thus, the Hct will be affected. RBC and WBC
counts remain the same, as does the Hgb content.
10. A 1:200 dilution of a patient's sample was made and 336 red cells were
counted in an area of 0.2 mm2. What is the RBC count?
A. 1.68 × 1012/L
B. 3.36 × 1012/L
C. 4.47 × 1012/L
D. 6.66 × 1012/L: B RBC count = number of cells counted × dilution factor × depth factor (10), divided by the
area. In this example, 336 × 200 × 10 = 672,000 ÷ 0.2 = 3.36 × 106/mm3 = 3.36 × 1012/L.
11. What phagocytic cells produce lysozymes that are bacteriocidal?
A. Eosinophils
B. Lymphocytes
C. Platelets
D. Neutrophils: D Neutrophils are highly phagocytic and release lysozymes, peroxidase, and pyrogenic proteins.
Eosinophils migrate to sites where there is an allergic reaction or parasitic infestation, releasing peroxidase, pyrogens,
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_i2ttfx
1. Insufficient centrifugation will result in:
A. A false increase in hematocrit (Hct) value
B. A false decrease in Hct value
C. No effect on Hct value
D. All of these options, depending on the patient: A Insufficient centrifugation does not pack
down the red blood cells; therefore, the Hct, which is the volume of packed cells, will increase.
2. Variation in red cell size observed on the peripheral smear is described as:
A. Anisocytosis
B. Hypochromia
C. Poikilocytosis
D. Pleocytosis: A A mature erythrocyte is approximately 7-8 μm in diameter. Variation in normal size is denoted
by the term anisocytosis. Hypochromia is a term that indicates increased central pallor in erythrocytes, and poikilocytosis
denotes variation in red cell shape.
3. Which of the following is the preferable site for bone marrow aspiration and
biopsy in an adult?
A. Iliac crest
B. Sternum
C. Tibia
D. Spinous processes of a vertebra: A The iliac crest is the most frequently used site for one marrow
aspiration and biopsy. This site is the safest and most easily accessible, with the bone just beneath the skin, and neither
blood vessels nor nerves are in the vicinity.
, Harr Hematology Exam Questions with Verified Solutions
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_i2ttfx
4. Mean cell volume (MCV) is calculated using the following formula:
A. (Hgb ÷ RBC) × 10
B. (Hct ÷ RBC) × 10
C. (Hct ÷ Hgb) × 100
D. (Hgb ÷ RBC) × 100: B MCV is the average "volume" of the red cells. This is obtained by dividing the Hct
or packed cell volume PCV) by the red blood cell (RBC) count in millions per microliter of blood and multiplying by 10.
The MCV is expressed in cubic microns (μm3) or femtoliters (fL).
5. What term describes the change in shape of erythrocytes seen on a
Wright's-stained peripheral blood smear?
A. Poikilocytosis
B. Anisocytosis
C. Hypochromia
D. Polychromasia: A Variation in shape of the erythrocytes on a peripheral blood smear is poikilocytosis.
Anisocytosis refers to a change in size. Hypochromia is an increase in central pallor in erythrocytes. Polychromasia
describes the bluish tinge of the immature erythrocytes (reticulocytes) circulating in the peripheral blood.
6. Calculate the mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) using the follow-
ing values:
Hgb: 15 g/dL (150 g/L)
Hct: 47 mL/dL (0.47)
RBC: 4.50 × 106/μL (4.50 × 1012/L)
A. 9.5% (.095)
, Harr Hematology Exam Questions with Verified Solutions
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B. 10.4% (.104)
C. 31.9% (.319)
D. 33.3% (.333): C MCHC is the average concentration of Hgb in red cells expressed as a percentage. It expresses
the ratio of the weight of Hgb to the volume of erythrocytes and is calculated by dividing Hgb by the Hct, and then
multiplying by 100. A decreased MCHC indicates that cells are hypochromic. In this example, (15 ÷ 47) × 100 = 31.9%.
The reference range for MCHC is 32%-36%.
7. A manual white blood cell (WBC) count was performed. A total of 36 cells
were counted in all 9-mm2 squares of a Neubauer-ruled hemacytometer. A 1:10
dilution was used. What is the WBC count?
A. 0.4 × 109/L
B. 2.5 × 109/L
C. 4.0 × 109/L
D. 8.0 × 109/L: A The formula used for calculating manual cell counts using a hemacytometer is: Number of cells
counted × dilution factor × depth factor (10) divided by the area. In this example, 36 × 10 × 10 = 3600 ÷ 9 = 400/mm3
or 0.4 × 109/L.
8. When an erythrocyte containing iron granules is
stained with Prussian blue, the cell is called a:
A. Spherocyte
B. Leptocyte
C. Schistocyte
D. Siderocyte: D Siderocytes are red cells containing iron granules and are visible when stained with Prussian
blue.
, Harr Hematology Exam Questions with Verified Solutions
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_i2ttfx
9. A 7.0-mL ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) tube is received in the lab-
oratory containing only 2.0 mL of blood. If the laboratory is using manual
techniques, which of the following tests will most likely be erroneous?
A. RBC count
B. Hemoglobin (Hgb)
C. Hct
D. WBC count: C Excessive anticoagulant causes shrinkage of cells; thus, the Hct will be affected. RBC and WBC
counts remain the same, as does the Hgb content.
10. A 1:200 dilution of a patient's sample was made and 336 red cells were
counted in an area of 0.2 mm2. What is the RBC count?
A. 1.68 × 1012/L
B. 3.36 × 1012/L
C. 4.47 × 1012/L
D. 6.66 × 1012/L: B RBC count = number of cells counted × dilution factor × depth factor (10), divided by the
area. In this example, 336 × 200 × 10 = 672,000 ÷ 0.2 = 3.36 × 106/mm3 = 3.36 × 1012/L.
11. What phagocytic cells produce lysozymes that are bacteriocidal?
A. Eosinophils
B. Lymphocytes
C. Platelets
D. Neutrophils: D Neutrophils are highly phagocytic and release lysozymes, peroxidase, and pyrogenic proteins.
Eosinophils migrate to sites where there is an allergic reaction or parasitic infestation, releasing peroxidase, pyrogens,
