Histology Certification Specimen Preparation 3

Question 1

Which of the following best describes the role of xylene in standard tissue processing?

Accepted Answer

Clearing agent miscible with paraffin

Answer

Xylene is a clearing agent that removes alcohol from tissue and is fully miscible with melted paraffin wax.

Question 2

When processing a core needle biopsy, the cassette used should be:

Accepted Answer

A biopsy/mesh cassette to prevent tissue loss

Answer

Biopsy mesh cassettes trap small tissue fragments, preventing loss during agitation in automated processors.

Question 3

The pH of 10% neutral buffered formalin (NBF) should be maintained at approximately:

Accepted Answer

6.8–7.2

Answer

NBF is buffered to near-neutral pH (6.8–7.2) to minimize formalin pigment artifact and preserve antigenicity.

Question 4

Decalcification with strong mineral acids (e.g., HCl) compared to EDTA-based decalcification:

Accepted Answer

Is faster but causes more tissue and nuclear damage

Answer

Strong acid decalcification is rapid but degrades tissue morphology and nucleic acids, making EDTA preferable when downstream molecular or IHC studies are planned.

Question 5

Which artifact results from air drying a smear before fixation in cytological preparations?

Accepted Answer

Cellular swelling and poor nuclear staining

Answer

Air drying before fixation causes cells to swell and nuclei to stain poorly, degrading cytological detail.

Histology Certification Practice Test

Histology Certification Practice Test

Histology Certification Specimen Preparation 3