Hematology Flashcards
6 cards from real Medical Technologist Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Hematology flashcards as text
What is the anticoagulant of choice for a complete blood count (CBC) specimen?
Answer: EDTA
EDTA (lavender top tube) chelates calcium to prevent clotting and best preserves cell morphology for CBC analysis.
Schistocytes on a peripheral blood smear are associated with which condition?
Answer: Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia
Schistocytes (fragmented red cells) result from mechanical destruction of RBCs seen in TTP, HUS, and DIC.
Which coagulation test is used to monitor heparin therapy?
Answer: aPTT
The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) monitors the intrinsic pathway and is used to adjust unfractionated heparin dosing.
A patient with polycythemia vera would be expected to have which laboratory result?
Answer: Increased red cell mass with low erythropoietin
Polycythemia vera is a myeloproliferative disorder with increased RBC mass and suppressed erythropoietin due to autonomous bone marrow production.
Which cell is the precursor to platelets in the bone marrow?
Answer: Megakaryocyte
Megakaryocytes undergo cytoplasmic fragmentation (thrombopoiesis) to release platelets into the bloodstream.
Rouleaux formation on a peripheral smear is commonly associated with which condition?
Answer: Multiple myeloma
Rouleaux (stacked coin-like RBC arrangement) occurs when elevated proteins like immunoglobulins reduce the negative charge between RBCs, common in multiple myeloma.