CVA Laboratory Techniques & Diagnostic Procedures 4

Question 1

A dog's blood glucose is 320 mg/dL. This finding is most consistent with:

Accepted Answer

Diabetes mellitus

Answer

Normal canine blood glucose is approximately 70–120 mg/dL; a value of 320 mg/dL is significantly elevated, consistent with diabetes mellitus.

Question 2

Which stain is used to identify Mycobacterium species (acid-fast bacteria)?

Accepted Answer

Ziehl-Neelsen (acid-fast) stain

Answer

Ziehl-Neelsen stain uses carbol fuchsin dye that acid-fast bacteria retain after acid-alcohol decolorization, making them appear red.

Question 3

When centrifuging a blood sample, the buffy coat layer located between the red blood cells and plasma primarily contains:

Accepted Answer

White blood cells and platelets

Answer

The buffy coat is the thin white layer that forms between packed red cells and plasma, consisting of leukocytes and platelets.

Question 4

A vaginal cytology smear from a dog showing predominantly cornified (anuclear) squamous epithelial cells indicates:

Accepted Answer

Estrus (standing heat)

Answer

Cornified anuclear squamous cells predominate during estrus due to peak estrogen stimulation of the vaginal epithelium.

Question 5

Which parameter is NOT typically measured in a standard complete blood count (CBC)?

Accepted Answer

Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)

Answer

BUN is a chemistry panel value that reflects kidney function; it is not part of the CBC, which evaluates cellular blood components.

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