Laboratory Procedures & Biopsies Flashcards
7 cards from real CDT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Laboratory Procedures & Biopsies flashcards as text
Which immunofluorescence pattern is classically associated with pemphigus vulgaris on direct immunofluorescence (DIF)?
Answer: Intercellular IgG in a 'fishnet' pattern throughout the epidermis
Pemphigus vulgaris shows intercellular IgG deposits between keratinocytes in a characteristic 'fishnet' or 'chicken-wire' pattern on DIF.
What is the recommended specimen transport condition for a tissue sample sent for bacterial culture?
Answer: Sterile container with a small amount of sterile saline, transported promptly
Tissue for bacterial culture should be placed in a sterile container with a small amount of sterile saline to maintain viability and transported promptly to the lab.
A dermatology technician notices a biopsy specimen container is cracked and leaking formalin. What is the FIRST action to take?
Answer: Don the appropriate PPE and contain the spill following exposure protocols
Formalin is a hazardous chemical; the first response is to don PPE (gloves, eye protection) and contain the spill per OSHA and facility exposure control protocols.
The PAS (Periodic Acid-Schiff) stain in dermatopathology is primarily used to identify which structures?
Answer: Fungal cell walls and basement membranes
PAS stain highlights polysaccharides in fungal cell walls and thickened basement membranes, making it essential for diagnosing tinea and other fungal infections.
Which biopsy site complication is MOST associated with wounds closed under excess tension?
Answer: Wound dehiscence or widened scar
Excessive wound tension prevents proper healing and commonly leads to dehiscence (wound opening) or a widened, stretched scar.
What does a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) assess in melanoma patients?
Answer: Presence of metastatic melanoma cells in the first draining lymph node
SLNB identifies whether melanoma has spread to the first (sentinel) lymph node in the regional basin, guiding staging and further treatment decisions.
Which of the following is the best indicator that a fungal culture specimen from skin scrapings is adequate?
Answer: Scrapings contain visible scale from the active border of the lesion
Adequate fungal culture specimens contain scale from the active, advancing border of a lesion where viable organisms are most concentrated.