Medical Technologist Test Hematology 2

Question 1

What is the anticoagulant of choice for a complete blood count (CBC) specimen?

Accepted Answer

EDTA

Answer

EDTA (lavender top tube) chelates calcium to prevent clotting and best preserves cell morphology for CBC analysis.

Question 2

Schistocytes on a peripheral blood smear are associated with which condition?

Accepted Answer

Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia

Answer

Schistocytes (fragmented red cells) result from mechanical destruction of RBCs seen in TTP, HUS, and DIC.

Question 3

Which coagulation test is used to monitor heparin therapy?

Accepted Answer

aPTT

Answer

The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) monitors the intrinsic pathway and is used to adjust unfractionated heparin dosing.

Question 4

A patient with polycythemia vera would be expected to have which laboratory result?

Accepted Answer

Increased red cell mass with low erythropoietin

Answer

Polycythemia vera is a myeloproliferative disorder with increased RBC mass and suppressed erythropoietin due to autonomous bone marrow production.

Question 5

Which cell is the precursor to platelets in the bone marrow?

Accepted Answer

Megakaryocyte

Answer

Megakaryocytes undergo cytoplasmic fragmentation (thrombopoiesis) to release platelets into the bloodstream.

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