BMS218 Theory Exam Practice Questions
Example Short Answer Questions (4-5 marks each)
The following are examples of short answer styled questions.
General/Malignant Haematology
1. List the different types of blood collection tubes used for haematology testing
2. Briefly describe pre-analytical variables that affect haematology laboratory results.
3. List the developmental stages of a neutrophil. Use annotated diagrams.
4. Using schematic diagrams draw representations of macrocytosis and hypochromasia.
5. Briefly describe how a manual reticulocyte count is performed.
6. Briefly describe the principle and application of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate
(ESR).
7. List the FBC and peripheral blood features of infectious mononucleosis.
8. List the FBC and peripheral blood features of a bacterial infection.
9. Compare and contrast typical laboratory results obtained for acute and chronic
leukaemia.
10. Describe two mutations that are associated with the development of leukaemia.
Transfusion Science
1. Briefly describe quality control measures used in the transfusion laboratory.
2. Summarise the laboratory detection of antibodies from the Rhesus blood group.
3. Describe what is meant by ‘weak D’.
4. What might explain missing reverse group reactions (for ABO typing)?
5. What is ‘zeta potential’? How does it influence red cell antibody detection?
6. Describe the principle of agglutination used by column agglutination techniques.
7. What are causes of false positive reactions using AHG methods?
8. Describe the antigens, antibodies and disease association of the Kell and Lewis blood
groups.
9. Describe characteristics required of antibody screening cells.
10. Contrast between polyclonal and monoclonal anti-human globulin reagents.
Haemostasis
1. What are the four major components of haemostasis?
2. Briefly describe why vitamin K is important for normal blood coagulation.
3. Describe how lupus anticoagulants are detected in the laboratory.
4. Briefly describe the haemostatic roles of thrombin.
5. Constrast the haemostatic roles of von Willebrand factor (vWF) and factor VIII (FVIII).
6. Describe the role of activated FXIIIa in the formation of fibrinogen degradation products.
7. Summarise the principles and applications of the thrombin clotting time (TCT).
8. Discuss laboratory methods that measure fibrinogen. Distinguish between “total
fibrinogen” and “functional fibrinogen”.
9. Discuss the physiological roles of prostaglandins involved in platelet function.
10. List and describe the roles of platelet receptors and integral glycoproteins.
MJA/10_2017 1
Example Short Answer Questions (4-5 marks each)
The following are examples of short answer styled questions.
General/Malignant Haematology
1. List the different types of blood collection tubes used for haematology testing
2. Briefly describe pre-analytical variables that affect haematology laboratory results.
3. List the developmental stages of a neutrophil. Use annotated diagrams.
4. Using schematic diagrams draw representations of macrocytosis and hypochromasia.
5. Briefly describe how a manual reticulocyte count is performed.
6. Briefly describe the principle and application of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate
(ESR).
7. List the FBC and peripheral blood features of infectious mononucleosis.
8. List the FBC and peripheral blood features of a bacterial infection.
9. Compare and contrast typical laboratory results obtained for acute and chronic
leukaemia.
10. Describe two mutations that are associated with the development of leukaemia.
Transfusion Science
1. Briefly describe quality control measures used in the transfusion laboratory.
2. Summarise the laboratory detection of antibodies from the Rhesus blood group.
3. Describe what is meant by ‘weak D’.
4. What might explain missing reverse group reactions (for ABO typing)?
5. What is ‘zeta potential’? How does it influence red cell antibody detection?
6. Describe the principle of agglutination used by column agglutination techniques.
7. What are causes of false positive reactions using AHG methods?
8. Describe the antigens, antibodies and disease association of the Kell and Lewis blood
groups.
9. Describe characteristics required of antibody screening cells.
10. Contrast between polyclonal and monoclonal anti-human globulin reagents.
Haemostasis
1. What are the four major components of haemostasis?
2. Briefly describe why vitamin K is important for normal blood coagulation.
3. Describe how lupus anticoagulants are detected in the laboratory.
4. Briefly describe the haemostatic roles of thrombin.
5. Constrast the haemostatic roles of von Willebrand factor (vWF) and factor VIII (FVIII).
6. Describe the role of activated FXIIIa in the formation of fibrinogen degradation products.
7. Summarise the principles and applications of the thrombin clotting time (TCT).
8. Discuss laboratory methods that measure fibrinogen. Distinguish between “total
fibrinogen” and “functional fibrinogen”.
9. Discuss the physiological roles of prostaglandins involved in platelet function.
10. List and describe the roles of platelet receptors and integral glycoproteins.
MJA/10_2017 1
