MT Laboratory & Pathology Reports 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a culture and sensitivity report, the abbreviation 'MIC' stands for:
- Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (Correct answer)
- Maximum Infectious Count
- Microbial Identification Coefficient
- Medial Infection Control
Correct answer: Minimum Inhibitory Concentration
MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) is the lowest concentration of an antimicrobial agent that prevents visible growth of a microorganism, guiding antibiotic selection.
Question 2: A laboratory report noting a specimen is 'hemolyzed' indicates:
- The specimen was collected and handled correctly
- Red blood cells have ruptured, potentially interfering with test results (Correct answer)
- The specimen tested positive for hemoglobin in the serum
- The blood was properly anticoagulated for testing
Correct answer: Red blood cells have ruptured, potentially interfering with test results
Hemolysis refers to the rupture of red blood cells releasing intracellular contents into the serum, which can falsely elevate potassium, LDH, and other analytes, compromising result accuracy.
Question 3: In surgical pathology, a 'frozen section' examination refers to:
- A specimen archived in cryogenic storage for future testing
- Rapid intraoperative tissue examination while the patient remains in surgery (Correct answer)
- A permanent paraffin-embedded histologic section
- A tissue section stained with a cryoprotective agent
Correct answer: Rapid intraoperative tissue examination while the patient remains in surgery
A frozen section is a rapid technique where tissue is snap-frozen, sectioned, stained, and examined microscopically within 15–20 minutes to guide intraoperative surgical decisions.
Question 4: In the TNM tumor staging system transcribed in pathology reports, the letter 'N' designates:
- Nuclear grade of the primary tumor
- Necrosis detected within the tumor tissue
- Regional lymph node involvement (Correct answer)
- Number of separate tumor foci identified
Correct answer: Regional lymph node involvement
In the TNM classification, T = primary Tumor size/extent, N = regional lymph Node involvement, and M = distant Metastasis, forming the basis of cancer staging.
Question 5: The Gleason score documented in a pathology report is used specifically to grade:
- Breast carcinoma
- Prostate adenocarcinoma (Correct answer)
- Colorectal adenocarcinoma
- Non-small cell lung carcinoma
Correct answer: Prostate adenocarcinoma
The Gleason grading system (scores 2–10) is specific to prostate adenocarcinoma, reflecting the degree of glandular differentiation and predicting biological behavior and prognosis.
Question 6: In a coagulation panel, the abbreviation 'PT' stands for:
- Platelet transfusion rate
- Protein threshold
- Prothrombin time (Correct answer)
- Plasma turbidity index
Correct answer: Prothrombin time
Prothrombin time (PT) measures the time for plasma to clot via the extrinsic pathway; it is commonly reported alongside INR and used to monitor warfarin therapy and assess liver function.
Question 7: Which histochemical stain is most commonly referenced in pathology reports to identify the presence of iron in tissue sections?
- Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain
- Prussian blue (Perls) stain (Correct answer)
- Masson trichrome stain
- Congo red stain
Correct answer: Prussian blue (Perls) stain
Prussian blue (Perls iron stain) reacts with ferric iron deposits (hemosiderin) in tissue, producing a blue color, and is used to evaluate iron storage disorders and hemosiderosis.
MT Laboratory & Pathology Reports 2
In a culture and sensitivity report, the abbreviation 'MIC' stands for: