CSMLS practice questions and answers 2023 with
complete solution
Which of the following actions should be taken when the hematoxylin and eosin stain
lacks three distinct shades of pink?
a. check pH of fixative
b. replace hematoxylin
c. check pH of eosin
d. increase time in water
c. check pH of eosin
A dark brown pigment is noted on formalin fixed, hematoxylin and eosin stained section.
What action can prevent this from occurring?
a. maintain formalin at a neutral pH
b. treat sections with alcoholic picric acid
c. "bread loaf" large sections
d. increase fixation time
a. maintain formalin at a neutral pH
Which of the following actions should be taken when a supervisor continuously assigns
a technologist demeaning tasks?
a. accept the change in tasks
b. confront the supervisor publicly
c. seek third party mediation
d. criticize the supervisor to other colleagues
c. seek third party mediation
Which of the following actions should be taken when tissue sections stained with
hematoxylin and eosin show pale cytoplasmic staining
a. use heat during the staining process
b. check the pH of the eosin and adjust the sodium hydroxide if necessary
c. return the slides to the bluing reagent
d. check the pH of eosin and adjust with acetic acid if necessary
d. check the pH of eosin and adjust with acetic acid if necessary
Which of the following statements is consistent with the results given below?
PLEURAL FLUID
- total nucleated cell count: markedly increased
- smear: numerous clumps of large cells without borders
a. repeat the total nucleated cell count
b. report as clotted specimen
c. suspicious of malignant cells
d. presence of the mesothelial cells
c. suspicious of malignant cells
Which of the following actions should be taken when a technologist is disrespectful to a
nurse who is consistently interrupting their work?
a. file an occurrence report
b. engage in role clarification
, c. organize work to accommodate priorities
d. engage in reflective practice
d. engage in reflective practice
Which of the following actions can account for the presence of Gram negative cocci in
chains from a blood culture?
a. under decolorization of the smear
b. omission of the counterstain step
c. drying of the smear prior to staining
d. overheating of the smear during fixation
not: under decolorization of the smear
Where should a tissue specimen for frozen section be sent?
a. cytology
b. chemistry
c. histology
d. microbiology
c. histology
What is the proper order for removal of personal protective equipment?
a. gloves, mask, eye protection, gown
b. gown, gloves, eye protection, mask
c. gown, mask, gloves, eye protection
d. gloves, gown, eye protection, mask
d. gloves, gown, eye protection, mask
What is the most important step in preventing infection?
a. wearing gloves
b. hand washing
c. wearing N95 mask
d. disinfecting surfaces
b. hand washing
Which of the following actions is considered negligence?
a. touching a patient without consent
b. failing to report a critical value
c. making a negative statement about a colleague
d. reporting child abuse
NOT: a. touching a patient without consent
Probably: failing to report a critical value
How should a technologist proceed when collecting a blood sample from a patient who
is terminating a pregnancy?
a. collect the patients blood
b. discuss the surgical procedure with the patient
c. refuse to collect from this patient as it violates strongly held beliefs
d. collect the blood sample but avoid eye contact with the patient
a. collect the patients blood
Which of the following disinfectant must not be place in autoclave due to generation of
unsafe gases?
a. sodium hypochlorite
b. hydrogen peroxide
complete solution
Which of the following actions should be taken when the hematoxylin and eosin stain
lacks three distinct shades of pink?
a. check pH of fixative
b. replace hematoxylin
c. check pH of eosin
d. increase time in water
c. check pH of eosin
A dark brown pigment is noted on formalin fixed, hematoxylin and eosin stained section.
What action can prevent this from occurring?
a. maintain formalin at a neutral pH
b. treat sections with alcoholic picric acid
c. "bread loaf" large sections
d. increase fixation time
a. maintain formalin at a neutral pH
Which of the following actions should be taken when a supervisor continuously assigns
a technologist demeaning tasks?
a. accept the change in tasks
b. confront the supervisor publicly
c. seek third party mediation
d. criticize the supervisor to other colleagues
c. seek third party mediation
Which of the following actions should be taken when tissue sections stained with
hematoxylin and eosin show pale cytoplasmic staining
a. use heat during the staining process
b. check the pH of the eosin and adjust the sodium hydroxide if necessary
c. return the slides to the bluing reagent
d. check the pH of eosin and adjust with acetic acid if necessary
d. check the pH of eosin and adjust with acetic acid if necessary
Which of the following statements is consistent with the results given below?
PLEURAL FLUID
- total nucleated cell count: markedly increased
- smear: numerous clumps of large cells without borders
a. repeat the total nucleated cell count
b. report as clotted specimen
c. suspicious of malignant cells
d. presence of the mesothelial cells
c. suspicious of malignant cells
Which of the following actions should be taken when a technologist is disrespectful to a
nurse who is consistently interrupting their work?
a. file an occurrence report
b. engage in role clarification
, c. organize work to accommodate priorities
d. engage in reflective practice
d. engage in reflective practice
Which of the following actions can account for the presence of Gram negative cocci in
chains from a blood culture?
a. under decolorization of the smear
b. omission of the counterstain step
c. drying of the smear prior to staining
d. overheating of the smear during fixation
not: under decolorization of the smear
Where should a tissue specimen for frozen section be sent?
a. cytology
b. chemistry
c. histology
d. microbiology
c. histology
What is the proper order for removal of personal protective equipment?
a. gloves, mask, eye protection, gown
b. gown, gloves, eye protection, mask
c. gown, mask, gloves, eye protection
d. gloves, gown, eye protection, mask
d. gloves, gown, eye protection, mask
What is the most important step in preventing infection?
a. wearing gloves
b. hand washing
c. wearing N95 mask
d. disinfecting surfaces
b. hand washing
Which of the following actions is considered negligence?
a. touching a patient without consent
b. failing to report a critical value
c. making a negative statement about a colleague
d. reporting child abuse
NOT: a. touching a patient without consent
Probably: failing to report a critical value
How should a technologist proceed when collecting a blood sample from a patient who
is terminating a pregnancy?
a. collect the patients blood
b. discuss the surgical procedure with the patient
c. refuse to collect from this patient as it violates strongly held beliefs
d. collect the blood sample but avoid eye contact with the patient
a. collect the patients blood
Which of the following disinfectant must not be place in autoclave due to generation of
unsafe gases?
a. sodium hypochlorite
b. hydrogen peroxide
