FREE CSMLS Histotechnology and Microbiology Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which of the following actions should be taken when the hematoxylin and eosin stain lacks three distinct shades of pink?

Accepted Answer

Check the pH of eosin

Answer

Check the pH of fixative

Answer

Replace hematoxylin

Answer

Increase time in water

Question 2

A dark brown pigment is noted on formalin-fixed, hematoxylin, and eosin-stained sections. What action can prevent this from occurring?

Accepted Answer

Maintain formalin at a neutral pH

Answer

Treat sections with alcoholic picric acid

Answer

“Bread loaf" large sections

Answer

Increase fixation time

Question 3

Which of the following actions should be taken when tissue sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin show pale cytoplasmic staining?

Accepted Answer

Check the pH of eosin and adjust with acetic acid if necessary

Answer

Use heat during the staining process

Answer

Check the pH of the eosin and adjust the sodium hydroxide if necessary

Answer

Return the slides to the bluing reagent

Question 4

Where should a tissue specimen for the frozen section be sent?

Accepted Answer

Histology

Answer

Cytology

Answer

Chemistry

Answer

Microbiology

Question 5

Which of the following staining problems results from the omission of 1% periodic acid solution in the Jones Methenamine silver technique?

Accepted Answer

Failure to stain the basement membrane

Answer

Over-impregnation of basement membrane

Answer

Increased non-specific staining will occur

Answer

Nuclei will take up silver stain

Question 6

Which of the following reagents is used as the mordant and oxidant in the Weigert's hematoxylin?

Accepted Answer

Ferric chloride

Answer

Ammonium potassium

Answer

Aluminum potassium sulfate

Answer

Iodine

Question 7

Which of the following situations will cause mast cells to turn blue during metachromatic staining?

Accepted Answer

Decreased pH of toluidine blue

Answer

Alcohol used in dehydration

Answer

Increased pH of toluidine blue

Answer

Tissue improperly fixed

Question 8

Which of the following specimen orders prioritizes the processing of microbiology specimens correctly?

Accepted Answer

CSF, blood culture, urine, swab in transport media

Answer

Rapid antigen testing, CSF, urine, stool in transport media

Answer

CSF, swab in transport media, surgical specimens, unpreserved stool

Answer

Blood culture, CSF, unpreserved stool, stool in transport media

Question 9

What reagent is applied prior to the counterstain in a gram stain procedure?

Accepted Answer

Decolourizer

Answer

Safranin

Answer

Saline

Answer

Mordant

Question 10

A bronchial washing specimen for routine bacterial, fungal and acid-fast culture was received. The sample volume is insufficient to perform all the requested tests. Which of the following actions should be performed?

Accepted Answer

Call the clinician to establish the priorities for the culture

Answer

Decrease the sample volume per culture plate to ensure the full culture request is fulfilled

Answer

Cancel all the cultures requested

Answer

Establish the priorities for culture based on patient diagnosis