ASCP Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield ASCP facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which RhIG (RhoGAM) dose is given at 28 weeks gestation for Rh prophylaxis? → 300 µg (full dose)
2. Which of the following specimens must be placed in ice water slurry immediately after collection? → Arterial blood gas (ABG)
3. In platelet aggregation testing, which reagent tests the thromboxane A2 pathway and is abnormal in aspirin-treated patients? → Arachidonic acid
4. Which toxin produced by Clostridium difficile causes pseudomembranous colitis? → Toxin A (enterotoxin) and Toxin B (cytotoxin)
5. Which stain is used to identify fat/lipid in urine sediment? → Oil Red O or Sudan III stain
6. Which leukemia is characterized by the Philadelphia chromosome (BCR-ABL fusion)? → Chronic myelogenous leukemia
7. Which tumor marker is most useful for monitoring treatment response in prostate cancer? → PSA
8. The CAMP test is used to identify which organism? → Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Strep)
9. A patient with iron deficiency anemia would most likely show which RBC morphology? → Microcytosis and hypochromia
10. What is the most common complication of venipuncture? → Hematoma formation
11. What is the correct order of draw when collecting multiple tubes via a single venipuncture? → Blood cultures → citrate → serum/SST → heparin → EDTA → fluoride
12. An acute hemolytic transfusion reaction most commonly results from: → ABO incompatibility due to clerical error
13. Pharmacogenomic testing for CYP2D6 variants is clinically important because CYP2D6 metabolizes: → A large number of drugs including codeine, tamoxifen, and many antidepressants
14. A fasting glucose of 135 mg/dL on two separate occasions is diagnostic of: → Diabetes mellitus
15. In CSF analysis, lymphocytic pleocytosis with elevated protein and normal glucose is most consistent with: → Viral (aseptic) meningitis or early tuberculous meningitis
16. A patient's CSF appears xanthochromic (yellow). What does this finding most commonly indicate? → Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) that occurred hours to days before the procedure
17. What is the recommended angle of needle insertion during routine venipuncture? → 15–30 degrees
18. Which condition is associated with target cells (codocytes) on peripheral smear? → Sickle cell disease and thalassemia
19. Cryoprecipitate is prepared from fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and is enriched for which components? → Fibrinogen, Factor VIII, vWF, Factor XIII, and fibronectin
20. A patient has a hematocrit of 62%. How should the phlebotomist adjust sodium citrate tube collection? → Collect less blood to maintain the correct blood-to-citrate ratio
21. Which culture medium is used for isolation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae? → Thayer-Martin agar
22. A FISH break-apart probe is designed to: → Detect gene rearrangements by showing split signals when a gene is disrupted
23. Proficiency testing (PT) in CLIA-regulated laboratories is required to: → Assess laboratory performance by testing unknown samples against peer group results
24. On a peripheral blood smear, target cells (codocytes) are most commonly associated with: → Liver disease, thalassemia, hemoglobin C disease, and post-splenectomy
25. A patient with a history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) requires cardiac surgery. The most appropriate anticoagulant approach is: → Use bivalirudin (direct thrombin inhibitor) or delay until PF4-heparin antibodies decline
26. Which antibiotic resistance mechanism involves enzymatic destruction of the beta-lactam ring? → Beta-lactamase production
27. The Bethesda assay is used to quantify: → Factor VIII inhibitor titer
28. Which blood product requires irradiation to prevent transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GvHD)? → Cellular components (RBCs, platelets) for immunocompromised patients
29. The latex agglutination test for cryptococcal antigen in CSF detects: → Cryptococcal polysaccharide capsular antigen
30. Which cell type is characterized by a bilobed nucleus connected by a thin strand and is elevated in allergic reactions? → Eosinophil