Clinical Pathology and Diagnostics Flashcards
7 cards from real DVM 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 and Diagnostics flashcards as text
A dog presents with a PCV of 18% and marked spherocytosis on blood smear. Which Coombs test result would confirm immune-mediated hemolytic anemia?
Answer: Positive direct Coombs
A positive direct Coombs test detects antibodies or complement bound to the surface of red blood cells, confirming IMHA.
A cat's urinalysis shows a USG of 1.008 with concurrent azotemia. How should this finding be interpreted?
Answer: Renal azotemia with inadequate concentrating ability
A USG of 1.008 (isosthenuria) with azotemia indicates the kidneys cannot concentrate urine, pointing to primary renal disease.
Which bone marrow finding is most consistent with a diagnosis of aplastic anemia in a dog?
Answer: Hypocellular marrow with fat cell replacement
Aplastic anemia is characterized by hypocellular marrow where hematopoietic cells are replaced by fat cells, causing pancytopenia.
A horse has serum chemistry showing total bilirubin of 8 mg/dL with direct bilirubin of 0.4 mg/dL. What is the most likely cause?
Answer: Fasting hyperbilirubinemia
Horses commonly develop fasting-induced hyperbilirubinemia due to decreased hepatic uptake of unconjugated bilirubin, with predominantly indirect fraction elevated.
On cytology of a lymph node aspirate, you observe a monomorphic population of large lymphocytes with prominent nucleoli comprising >80% of cells. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer: Lymphoma
A monomorphic population of large, atypical lymphocytes exceeding 80% of the cell population is highly indicative of lymphoma.
A bovine blood sample shows a fibrinogen concentration of 900 mg/dL (reference 200–400 mg/dL). Which condition is most consistent with this finding?
Answer: Acute inflammation or infection
Fibrinogen is a major acute-phase protein in cattle, and markedly elevated concentrations indicate significant inflammation or infection.
A dog's CBC reveals a leukocyte count of 32,000/µL with 85% neutrophils, 10% bands, and toxic changes including Döhle bodies. What does this pattern indicate?
Answer: Severe bacterial infection with left shift
A marked leukocytosis with bands and toxic neutrophil changes (Döhle bodies, vacuolation) indicates a strong demand for neutrophils, typical of severe bacterial infection.