Practice Test GeeksDVM - Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Practice Test
← All DVM Flashcard Decks

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

  1. A cow presents with milk fever. Which serum electrolyte abnormality is expected?

    Answer: Hypocalcemia

    Milk fever (parturient paresis) is caused by hypocalcemia due to the sudden calcium demand at the onset of lactation exceeding homeostatic mechanisms.

  2. A dog with splenic hemangiosarcoma is presented. Which CBC finding would most strongly support active hemorrhage into the abdominal cavity?

    Answer: Regenerative anemia with thrombocytopenia and schistocytes

    Regenerative anemia with thrombocytopenia and red cell fragmentation (schistocytes) suggests hemorrhage combined with microangiopathic changes, common with hemangiosarcoma.

  3. An ACTH stimulation test in a dog yields a pre-cortisol of 2 µg/dL and post-cortisol of 2.5 µg/dL. What does this confirm?

    Answer: Hypoadrenocorticism

    A blunted cortisol response to ACTH (both pre- and post-stimulation values low or below normal) confirms hypoadrenocorticism (Addison's disease).

  4. Which stain is most appropriate for identifying lipid droplets in hepatocytes on a liver fine-needle aspirate?

    Answer: Oil Red O on air-dried unfixed sample

    Oil Red O stains neutral lipids red/orange and must be applied to unfixed, air-dried smears before lipids dissolve during routine processing.

  5. A feline patient has a packed cell volume of 55% and a concurrent low erythropoietin level. What is the most likely underlying cause?

    Answer: Primary erythrocytosis (polycythemia vera)

    Primary erythrocytosis (polycythemia vera) is a myeloproliferative disorder where erythropoietin is suppressed due to autonomous RBC overproduction.

  6. A dog's urine protein:creatinine (UPC) ratio is 4.2 with no active sediment. What is the most likely diagnosis?

    Answer: Glomerulonephropathy

    A UPC ratio above 2.0 with inactive sediment and no lower urinary tract disease strongly suggests glomerulonephropathy as the source of proteinuria.

  7. A caprine blood smear shows Heinz bodies on new methylene blue stain. Which toxin is most commonly responsible in goats?

    Answer: Copper

    Copper toxicity in small ruminants causes oxidative damage to hemoglobin, forming Heinz bodies and leading to intravascular hemolytic crisis.