Clinical Pathology Flashcards
7 cards from real ABPATH practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Clinical Pathology flashcards as text
Which coagulation factor is NOT measured by the prothrombin time (PT)?
Answer: Factor VIII
Factor VIII is part of the intrinsic pathway measured by PTT, not the PT.
A blood culture growing gram-positive cocci in clusters that is coagulase-positive is most likely:
Answer: Staphylococcus aureus
Coagulase positivity distinguishes S. aureus from coagulase-negative staphylococci.
Which finding on the CBC differential defines a leukemoid reaction rather than chronic myeloid leukemia?
Answer: High leukocyte alkaline phosphatase score
A leukemoid reaction shows a high LAP score, whereas CML characteristically shows a low LAP score.
Which thyroid pattern indicates primary hypothyroidism?
Answer: High TSH, low free T4
Primary hypothyroidism shows elevated TSH from pituitary feedback and low free T4.
A hemolyzed serum specimen will most significantly falsely increase which of the following?
Answer: Potassium
Hemolysis releases intracellular potassium, falsely elevating the measured serum potassium.
Which test is the confirmatory assay for HIV after a positive fourth-generation antigen/antibody screen?
Answer: HIV-1/HIV-2 antibody differentiation immunoassay
Current CDC algorithm uses an HIV-1/HIV-2 differentiation immunoassay to confirm a reactive screen.
Which iron study pattern is most consistent with anemia of chronic disease?
Answer: Low serum iron, low TIBC, high ferritin
Anemia of chronic disease shows low iron, low TIBC, and elevated ferritin as an acute-phase reactant.