MT Laboratory & Pathology Reports 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When transcribing a complete blood count (CBC) report, which value is reported in units of g/dL?
- White blood cell count
- Hemoglobin (Correct answer)
- Platelet count
- Hematocrit
Correct answer: Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin concentration is measured and reported in grams per deciliter (g/dL), while WBC and platelets use cells/μL and hematocrit is expressed as a percentage.
Question 2: In a pathology report, the term 'gross description' refers to:
- An inappropriate or offensive finding
- The microscopic findings under magnification
- The physical examination of the specimen with the naked eye (Correct answer)
- The final diagnosis summary
Correct answer: The physical examination of the specimen with the naked eye
Gross description documents the macroscopic (unaided eye) characteristics of the specimen, including size, color, texture, and visible abnormalities before any microscopic processing.
Question 3: The abbreviation 'AFB' as transcribed in a laboratory sputum report stands for:
- Acid-Fast Bacilli (Correct answer)
- Arterial Fibrin Bodies
- Automated Full Blood
- Anterior Fibrous Bundle
Correct answer: Acid-Fast Bacilli
AFB stands for Acid-Fast Bacilli, a category of bacteria (including Mycobacterium tuberculosis) identified by their resistance to decolorization with acid in the Ziehl-Neelsen stain.
Question 4: When transcribing laboratory reference ranges in a report, what is the standard numeric format?
- Average ± standard deviation (e.g., 7.5 ± 1.5)
- Minimum–Maximum range (e.g., 4.5–11.0) (Correct answer)
- Percentile notation (e.g., 5th–95th percentile)
- Mean value only (e.g., 7.5)
Correct answer: Minimum–Maximum range (e.g., 4.5–11.0)
Laboratory reference ranges are standardly expressed as a minimum–maximum span (e.g., 4.5–11.0 × 10³/μL for WBC) to define the normal interval for interpretation.
Question 5: In a urinalysis report, the term 'specific gravity' measures:
- The acidity or alkalinity of urine
- The concentration of solutes in urine relative to pure water (Correct answer)
- The presence of bacteria in urine
- The protein content of urine in mg/dL
Correct answer: The concentration of solutes in urine relative to pure water
Specific gravity reflects urine concentration by comparing its density to that of pure water (1.000), with normal values ranging from approximately 1.003 to 1.030.
Question 6: A cytology report categorized using the 'Bethesda System' is used for reporting results from which specimen type?
- Cardiac catheterization samples
- Cervical/vaginal Pap smears (Correct answer)
- Bone marrow biopsies
- Sputum cultures
Correct answer: Cervical/vaginal Pap smears
The Bethesda System is the standardized nomenclature for reporting cervicovaginal cytology (Pap smear) findings, using terms such as NILM, ASC-US, LSIL, and HSIL.
Question 7: In surgical pathology reports, which section immediately follows the gross description and provides examination findings under a microscope?
- Clinical history
- Addendum
- Microscopic description (Correct answer)
- Final diagnosis
Correct answer: Microscopic description
The microscopic description section documents the histological findings observed under the microscope, including cell architecture, atypia, and tissue characteristics, before the pathologist renders a final diagnosis.
MT Laboratory & Pathology Reports 1
When transcribing a complete blood count (CBC) report, which value is reported in units of g/dL?