Laboratory Science Hematology and Blood Analysis

Question 1

What is the normal reference range for red blood cell (RBC) count in adult males?

Accepted Answer

4.5–5.9 × 10⁶/µL

Answer

The normal RBC count for adult males is 4.5–5.9 × 10⁶/µL (or 4.5–5.9 × 10¹²/L), reflecting normal oxygen-carrying capacity.

Question 2

Which anticoagulant is used in the lavender (purple) top tube for CBC testing?

Accepted Answer

EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)

Answer

EDTA chelates calcium ions, preventing coagulation without altering cell morphology, making it the anticoagulant of choice for CBC testing.

Question 3

What does MCV measure in a complete blood count?

Accepted Answer

Mean Corpuscular Volume — average size of red blood cells

Answer

MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume) measures the average size of red blood cells and is used to classify anemias as microcytic, normocytic, or macrocytic.

Question 4

A patient with a hemoglobin of 7.5 g/dL would be classified as having which condition?

Accepted Answer

Anemia

Answer

A hemoglobin below the normal threshold (typically <12 g/dL in females, <13.5 g/dL in males) indicates anemia, a deficiency in oxygen-carrying capacity.

Question 5

Which stain is routinely used to differentiate white blood cell types on a peripheral blood smear?

Accepted Answer

Wright-Giemsa stain

Answer

Wright-Giemsa stain uses both eosin (acidic) and methylene blue (basic) dyes to differentially stain WBC granules and nuclear chromatin for cell identification.

Laboratory Science Practice Test

Laboratory Science Practice Test

Laboratory Science Hematology and Blood Analysis