Medical Technologist Test Hematology 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which white blood cell type is the first to respond to a bacterial infection?
- Neutrophil (Correct answer)
- Eosinophil
- Basophil
- Lymphocyte
Correct answer: Neutrophil
Neutrophils are the primary phagocytic cells that migrate to sites of bacterial infection within hours.
Question 2: What is the normal mean corpuscular volume (MCV) range in adults?
- 60–70 fL
- 80–100 fL (Correct answer)
- 110–120 fL
- 120–130 fL
Correct answer: 80–100 fL
Normal MCV is 80–100 fL; values outside this range indicate microcytic or macrocytic anemia.
Question 3: A peripheral blood smear showing target cells is MOST associated with which condition?
- Iron-deficiency anemia
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Hemoglobin C disease (Correct answer)
- Aplastic anemia
Correct answer: Hemoglobin C disease
Target cells (codocytes) are classically associated with hemoglobin C disease, liver disease, and thalassemia.
Question 4: Which laboratory finding is characteristic of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)?
- Elevated fibrinogen
- Prolonged PT and aPTT with low platelets (Correct answer)
- Isolated elevated platelet count
- Normal D-dimer
Correct answer: Prolonged PT and aPTT with low platelets
DIC is characterized by prolonged PT, prolonged aPTT, thrombocytopenia, elevated D-dimer, and decreased fibrinogen.
Question 5: Hypersegmented neutrophils on a peripheral smear are a hallmark of which deficiency?
- Iron deficiency
- Folate or vitamin B12 deficiency (Correct answer)
- Copper deficiency
- Zinc deficiency
Correct answer: Folate or vitamin B12 deficiency
Hypersegmented neutrophils (>5 lobes) indicate megaloblastic anemia caused by folate or vitamin B12 deficiency.
Question 6: Which stain is used to confirm the presence of reticulocytes in a blood smear?
- Wright stain
- New methylene blue (Correct answer)
- Gram stain
- Prussian blue
Correct answer: New methylene blue
New methylene blue is a supravital stain that precipitates RNA in reticulocytes, making them identifiable.
Medical Technologist Test Hematology 1
Which white blood cell type is the first to respond to a bacterial infection?