ASCP Urinalysis and Body Fluids 2

Question 1

Normal CSF glucose is approximately what percentage of simultaneous serum glucose?

Accepted Answer

60–70%

Answer

Normal CSF glucose is 60–70% of serum glucose; values below 45 mg/dL or <50% of serum suggest bacterial meningitis or other pathology.

Question 2

Red blood cells in CSF that do NOT lyse (xanthochromia present) after centrifugation indicate:

Accepted Answer

Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Answer

Xanthochromia (yellow CSF supernatant) from oxyhemoglobin and bilirubin indicates subarachnoid hemorrhage, not a traumatic tap.

Question 3

A pleural fluid LDH >200 IU/L and pleural/serum LDH ratio >0.6 classifies the fluid as:

Accepted Answer

Exudate

Answer

Light's criteria classify pleural fluid as an exudate if LDH >200, LDH ratio >0.6, or protein ratio >0.5, indicating inflammation or malignancy.

Question 4

Which crystal found in joint fluid under polarized light appears yellow when parallel to the compensator and is seen in gout?

Accepted Answer

Monosodium urate crystals (strongly negative birefringence)

Answer

Monosodium urate crystals are strongly negatively birefringent, appearing yellow when parallel and blue when perpendicular to the slow vibration axis.

Question 5

Semen analysis showing <10 million motile sperm per mL is classified as:

Accepted Answer

Oligospermia with asthenospermia

Answer

WHO criteria define oligospermia as <16 million sperm/mL; combined low count and reduced motility (asthenospermia) are common in male factor infertility.

ASCP Practice Test

ASCP Practice Test

ASCP Urinalysis and Body Fluids 2