ASCP Tissue Processing 2

Question 1

During dehydration, tissues are passed through graded alcohols starting from what concentration?

Accepted Answer

70%

Answer

Graded dehydration typically begins at 70% alcohol to avoid osmotic shock and cell distortion from sudden water removal.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a standard step in automated tissue processing?

Accepted Answer

Decalcification

Answer

Decalcification is a separate pre-processing step performed on calcified tissues and is not part of the standard automated processing cycle.

Question 3

What temperature is paraffin wax typically maintained at during infiltration?

Accepted Answer

60°C

Answer

Paraffin wax is maintained at approximately 60°C during infiltration to keep it in its liquid state for proper tissue impregnation.

Question 4

What is the term for the process of surrounding embedded tissue with paraffin wax in a mold?

Accepted Answer

Embedding

Answer

Embedding is the process of orienting tissue in molten paraffin within a mold to create a block for sectioning.

Question 5

Which fixative is preferred for electron microscopy due to superior ultrastructural preservation?

Accepted Answer

Glutaraldehyde

Answer

Glutaraldehyde provides superior ultrastructural preservation by cross-linking proteins more effectively than formaldehyde for electron microscopy.

ASCP - Histotechnician Test Practice Test