ABPath Pathology 2

Question 1

Which stain is most commonly used to demonstrate acid-fast bacilli such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis in tissue sections?

Accepted Answer

Ziehl-Neelsen

Answer

Ziehl-Neelsen stain highlights the mycolic-acid-rich cell walls of acid-fast organisms.

Question 2

Reed-Sternberg cells are the diagnostic hallmark of which malignancy?

Accepted Answer

Hodgkin lymphoma

Answer

Binucleate 'owl-eye' Reed-Sternberg cells define Hodgkin lymphoma.

Question 3

Psammoma bodies (laminated calcifications) are characteristically seen in all of the following EXCEPT?

Accepted Answer

Hepatocellular carcinoma

Answer

Hepatocellular carcinoma does not typically contain psammoma bodies, unlike the other three tumors.

Question 4

A biopsy showing non-caseating granulomas in the lung and hilar lymph nodes without organisms most suggests?

Accepted Answer

Sarcoidosis

Answer

Sarcoidosis classically produces non-caseating granulomas with negative stains for organisms.

Question 5

Which immunohistochemical marker is most useful for confirming a prostatic origin of an adenocarcinoma?

Accepted Answer

PSA (prostate-specific antigen)

Answer

PSA and PSAP are highly specific markers for prostatic epithelial cells.

American Board of Pathology (ABPath) Practice Test