MLS ASCP EXAMINATION TEST RECALL SET
2023 COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ Variation in red cell size observed on the peripheral smear is
described as:
A. Anisocytosis
B. Hypochromia
C. Poikilocytosis
D. Pleocytosis. Answer: 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.
◉ 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. Answer: A. The iliac crest is the
most frequently used site for
bone 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.
◉ 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. Answer: 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).
◉ 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. Answer: 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.
◉ Calculate the mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) using the
following 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)
B. 10.4% (.104)
C. 31.9% (.319)
D. 33.3% (.333). Answer: 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%.
◉ A manual white blood cell (WBC) count was performed. A total of 36
cells were counted in all 9-mm^2 squares of a Neubauer-ruled
hemacytometer. A 1:10 dilution was used. What is the WBC count?
A. 0.4 × 10^9/L
B. 2.5 × 10^9/L
C. 4.0 × 10^9/L
D. 8.0 × 10^9/L. Answer: 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/mm^3 or 0.4 × 10^9/L.
◉ When an erythrocyte containing iron granules is stained with Prussian
blue, the cell is called a:
A. Spherocyte
B. Leptocyte
2023 COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ Variation in red cell size observed on the peripheral smear is
described as:
A. Anisocytosis
B. Hypochromia
C. Poikilocytosis
D. Pleocytosis. Answer: 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.
◉ 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. Answer: A. The iliac crest is the
most frequently used site for
bone 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.
◉ 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. Answer: 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).
◉ 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. Answer: 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.
◉ Calculate the mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) using the
following 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)
B. 10.4% (.104)
C. 31.9% (.319)
D. 33.3% (.333). Answer: 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%.
◉ A manual white blood cell (WBC) count was performed. A total of 36
cells were counted in all 9-mm^2 squares of a Neubauer-ruled
hemacytometer. A 1:10 dilution was used. What is the WBC count?
A. 0.4 × 10^9/L
B. 2.5 × 10^9/L
C. 4.0 × 10^9/L
D. 8.0 × 10^9/L. Answer: 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/mm^3 or 0.4 × 10^9/L.
◉ When an erythrocyte containing iron granules is stained with Prussian
blue, the cell is called a:
A. Spherocyte
B. Leptocyte
