MT Laboratory & Pathology Reports 3

Question 1

When transcribing a pathology report, 'carcinoma in situ' (CIS) means:

Accepted Answer

Malignant cells are present but confined without invasion into surrounding tissue

Answer

Carcinoma in situ describes a lesion in which malignant cells are present but have not broken through the basement membrane to invade adjacent tissue, representing the earliest stage of cancer.

Question 2

In a bone marrow biopsy report, the term 'hypercellular' indicates:

Accepted Answer

Greater cellularity than normal, with increased hematopoietic-to-fat ratio

Answer

A hypercellular bone marrow has an increased proportion of hematopoietic cells relative to fat, which may indicate myeloproliferative disorders, leukemia, or reactive hyperplasia.

Question 3

The abbreviation 'IHC' in a pathology report refers to:

Accepted Answer

Immunohistochemistry

Answer

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a technique using antibodies to detect specific antigens in tissue sections, used to classify tumors, identify biomarkers (e.g., ER/PR in breast cancer), and determine tumor origin.

Question 4

When transcribing laboratory orders, a specimen labeled 'STAT' should be processed:

Accepted Answer

Immediately, with priority over all routine specimens

Answer

STAT (from Latin statim, meaning immediately) specimens require urgent processing and reporting, typically within 30–60 minutes, due to clinical urgency of the patient's condition.

Question 5

In a hematopathology report, flow cytometry is primarily used to:

Accepted Answer

Identify and quantify cell populations by detecting surface and intracellular markers

Answer

Flow cytometry analyzes thousands of cells per second, using fluorescent antibodies to identify surface antigens (e.g., CD markers), enabling diagnosis and classification of leukemias and lymphomas.

(MT) Certified Medical Transcription Practice Test

(MT) Certified Medical Transcription Practice Test

MT Laboratory & Pathology Reports 3