Comprehensive Exam UPDATED QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
What is the term for the increase in size of tissues or organs due to an increase in the size of
individual cells? - CORRECT ANSWER Hypertrophy
What term denotes an increase in size of an organ or tissue due to an increase in the number
of cells? - CORRECT ANSWER Hyperplasia
What refers to malignant tumors of epithelial tissue origin? - CORRECT
ANSWER Carcinomas
What is the cytologic picture suggestive but not conclusive of malignancy classified as? -
CORRECT ANSWER Class II
Which primary signs of death include circulatory failure, rigor mortis, and algor mortis? -
CORRECT ANSWER B and C
What type of epithelial cells are identified by pale, pink staining cytoplasm and dark pyknotic
nuclei in cervico-vaginal smears? - CORRECT ANSWER Intermediate cells
What is characterized by the cooling of the body to equalize with the surrounding
environment after death? - CORRECT ANSWER Algor mortis
Which hereditary disorder is NOT included in newborn screening? - CORRECT
ANSWER None of the above
What enhances fixation except for the presence of blood? - CORRECT
ANSWER Agitation
, What is the purpose of adding acetic acid in Harris hematoxylin? - CORRECT
ANSWER Make nuclear staining more specific
Which reaction demonstrates DNA? - CORRECT ANSWER Feulgen reaction
In BOUIN fixative, what balances the shrinking effect of one component? - CORRECT
ANSWER Glacial acetic acid
How can mercuric chloride precipitates left in tissue be removed? - CORRECT
ANSWER Immersion in sodium thiosulfate
What is considered the best fixative for blood smears and bone marrow tissues? - CORRECT
ANSWER Methanol
Which is NOT an acid decalcifying agent? - CORRECT ANSWER Acid alcohol
What type of microtome is used by Queckett? - CORRECT ANSWER Freezing
microtome
What is the bevel angle range of most microtome knives? - CORRECT ANSWER 3 to
8 degrees
What is a vegetable dye extracted from lichens? - CORRECT ANSWER Carmine
Which of the following is NOT a clearing agent? - CORRECT ANSWER Ethyl alcohol
What does dioxane act as? - CORRECT ANSWER Both a dehydrating agent and a
clearing agent