ASCP Board of Certification MLT exam
UPDATED QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS
Nephelometry is based on the principle of: - ANSWER>>Turbidity resulting from
specific antigen-coated latex particles agglutinated by corresponding antibody
Which of the following can cause hemolysis and perhaps result in recollection of
the specimen? - ANSWER>>Pushing the plunger of a syringe when transferring
blood into vacuum tubes.
A manual white blood cell count was performed by the hematology
technologist. The cell counts for both sides were 99 and 164, respectively. All
nine large squares were counted on each side. The dilution for this kit was pre-
measured at 1:100. What should the technologist report as the white cell count?
- ANSWER>>Cannot report
When comparing the white cell counts from one side of the hemacytometer to
the other, there is not good duplication. Cell counts from opposite sides of the
hemacytometer (within the same patient sample) that are greater than 10% of
one another are considered discrepant and should not be used to calculate
reportable results. This particular count should not be used to report patient
results.
The RBC inclusions shown in the photograph represent which of the following? -
ANSWER>>Howell-Jolly bodies
Howell-Jolly bodies are usually single, round, and tend to be positioned at the
periphery of the red blood cell. These inclusions are rarely found on a routine
,peripheral blood smear, as they are usually removed by a functioning spleen.
Howell-Jolly bodies appear in megaloblastic anemias and after splenectomy.
Which of the following tests would be employed in order to detect neural tube
defects? - ANSWER>>Alpha fetoprotein
Alpha-fetoprotein is a protein measured in pregnant women, using maternal
blood or amniotic fluid, as a screening test for a subset developmental
abnormalities: it is principally increased in open neural tube defects and
decreased in Down syndrome.
A patient has the following serum results:
Na = 130 mEq/LK = 4.9 mEq/LCl = 107 mEq/LGlucose = 300 mg/dLBUN = 18
mg/dLCreatinine = 1.1 mg/dL
Which osmolality result is consistent with these results?. - ANSWER>>281
mosmol/kg
Osmolality = 2 x Na + [Glucose (mg/dL) / 20] + [BUN (mg/dL)/ 3]
A liquid ion-exchange membrane electrode using the antibiotic valinomycin is
MOST selective for: - ANSWER>>Potassium
The valinomycin membrane electrode is most selective for potassium as
opposed to sodium, glucose, or chloride which utilize different membranes for
their respective electrodes. Valinomycin, which is neutral in charge, has been
incorporated into organic liquid membranes resulting in a sensor with a very
high selectivity for potassium.
What should safety management start with in order to ensure clarity and
consistency? - ANSWER>>A written safety policy
, Which of the following statements about high-frequency antigens is correct? -
ANSWER>>High-frequency antigens are common, but it is difficult to identify
their corresponding antibodies.
An adult's plasma cortisol of 22 µg/dL at 8:00 a.m. and 10 µg/dL at 4:00 p.m.
would be: - ANSWER>>Found in a healthy individual
Normal levels: 5-23 µg/dL at 8:00 a.m.
3-16 µg/dL at 4:00 p.m.
<50% of 8:00 a.m. values at 8:00 p.m.
A peripheral smear demonstrates a population of red cells that are mostly 5 -
5.5 µm in diameter. The CBC data shows RDW of 13% (reference range 11.5-
14.5%). Which of the following morphologies is consistent with these findings? -
ANSWER>>Microcytosis, low variation of cell volume
Select the primary reagent components used in the Jaffe reaction for creatinine.
- ANSWER>>Saturated picric acid and sodium hydroxide
Which of the following are markers currently used to differentiate heart failure
from lung disease? - ANSWER>>BNP and NT-proBNP
Which of the following is a selective medium for Campylobacter jejuni? -
ANSWER>>Skirrow agar
Which Lewis antigen(s) would be detected when phenotyping the red cells of an
adult who has the Le, Se, and H genes? - ANSWER>>Leb
The Se gene codes for the enzyme, a-2-L-fucosyltransferase, which adds L-fucose
to the type 1 precursor H (type 1). The Le gene codes for another L-fucose which
forms the Leb antigen.
UPDATED QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS
Nephelometry is based on the principle of: - ANSWER>>Turbidity resulting from
specific antigen-coated latex particles agglutinated by corresponding antibody
Which of the following can cause hemolysis and perhaps result in recollection of
the specimen? - ANSWER>>Pushing the plunger of a syringe when transferring
blood into vacuum tubes.
A manual white blood cell count was performed by the hematology
technologist. The cell counts for both sides were 99 and 164, respectively. All
nine large squares were counted on each side. The dilution for this kit was pre-
measured at 1:100. What should the technologist report as the white cell count?
- ANSWER>>Cannot report
When comparing the white cell counts from one side of the hemacytometer to
the other, there is not good duplication. Cell counts from opposite sides of the
hemacytometer (within the same patient sample) that are greater than 10% of
one another are considered discrepant and should not be used to calculate
reportable results. This particular count should not be used to report patient
results.
The RBC inclusions shown in the photograph represent which of the following? -
ANSWER>>Howell-Jolly bodies
Howell-Jolly bodies are usually single, round, and tend to be positioned at the
periphery of the red blood cell. These inclusions are rarely found on a routine
,peripheral blood smear, as they are usually removed by a functioning spleen.
Howell-Jolly bodies appear in megaloblastic anemias and after splenectomy.
Which of the following tests would be employed in order to detect neural tube
defects? - ANSWER>>Alpha fetoprotein
Alpha-fetoprotein is a protein measured in pregnant women, using maternal
blood or amniotic fluid, as a screening test for a subset developmental
abnormalities: it is principally increased in open neural tube defects and
decreased in Down syndrome.
A patient has the following serum results:
Na = 130 mEq/LK = 4.9 mEq/LCl = 107 mEq/LGlucose = 300 mg/dLBUN = 18
mg/dLCreatinine = 1.1 mg/dL
Which osmolality result is consistent with these results?. - ANSWER>>281
mosmol/kg
Osmolality = 2 x Na + [Glucose (mg/dL) / 20] + [BUN (mg/dL)/ 3]
A liquid ion-exchange membrane electrode using the antibiotic valinomycin is
MOST selective for: - ANSWER>>Potassium
The valinomycin membrane electrode is most selective for potassium as
opposed to sodium, glucose, or chloride which utilize different membranes for
their respective electrodes. Valinomycin, which is neutral in charge, has been
incorporated into organic liquid membranes resulting in a sensor with a very
high selectivity for potassium.
What should safety management start with in order to ensure clarity and
consistency? - ANSWER>>A written safety policy
, Which of the following statements about high-frequency antigens is correct? -
ANSWER>>High-frequency antigens are common, but it is difficult to identify
their corresponding antibodies.
An adult's plasma cortisol of 22 µg/dL at 8:00 a.m. and 10 µg/dL at 4:00 p.m.
would be: - ANSWER>>Found in a healthy individual
Normal levels: 5-23 µg/dL at 8:00 a.m.
3-16 µg/dL at 4:00 p.m.
<50% of 8:00 a.m. values at 8:00 p.m.
A peripheral smear demonstrates a population of red cells that are mostly 5 -
5.5 µm in diameter. The CBC data shows RDW of 13% (reference range 11.5-
14.5%). Which of the following morphologies is consistent with these findings? -
ANSWER>>Microcytosis, low variation of cell volume
Select the primary reagent components used in the Jaffe reaction for creatinine.
- ANSWER>>Saturated picric acid and sodium hydroxide
Which of the following are markers currently used to differentiate heart failure
from lung disease? - ANSWER>>BNP and NT-proBNP
Which of the following is a selective medium for Campylobacter jejuni? -
ANSWER>>Skirrow agar
Which Lewis antigen(s) would be detected when phenotyping the red cells of an
adult who has the Le, Se, and H genes? - ANSWER>>Leb
The Se gene codes for the enzyme, a-2-L-fucosyltransferase, which adds L-fucose
to the type 1 precursor H (type 1). The Le gene codes for another L-fucose which
forms the Leb antigen.
