VTNE Laboratory Procedures 4

Question 1

What is the most likely interpretation if a blood sample shows marked lipemia on a serum chemistry panel?

Accepted Answer

Post-prandial state or hyperlipidemia disorder

Answer

Lipemia (milky appearance) in serum is most commonly caused by post-prandial triglyceride elevation or a primary hyperlipidemia disorder, and can interfere with multiple chemistry analytes.

Question 2

When using an automated cell counter, which parameter is most commonly falsely elevated by platelet clumping?

Accepted Answer

White blood cell count

Answer

Platelet clumps are counted as white blood cells by impedance-based analyzers because their combined size falls within the WBC detection threshold, falsely elevating the WBC count.

Question 3

A cat has a PCV of 18% and the plasma appears icteric. Which additional test is most appropriate next?

Accepted Answer

Direct and total bilirubin

Answer

Icteric plasma with anemia warrants measurement of bilirubin fractions to differentiate prehepatic (hemolytic), hepatic, and posthepatic causes of icterus.

Question 4

Which organism is identified by a positive Voges-Proskauer (VP) test in bacteriology?

Accepted Answer

Klebsiella pneumoniae

Answer

Klebsiella pneumoniae produces acetoin (detected by the VP test), whereas E. coli is VP-negative — a key distinction between these Enterobacteriaceae.

Question 5

The PIVKA test (Proteins Induced by Vitamin K Absence or Antagonism) is used to diagnose:

Accepted Answer

Rodenticide anticoagulant toxicosis

Answer

PIVKA (also called Thrombotest or Normotest) detects inactive clotting factors caused by vitamin K deficiency or antagonism, as seen with anticoagulant rodenticide ingestion.

VTNE - Veterinary Technician National Examination Practice Test

VTNE - Veterinary Technician National Examination Practice Test

VTNE Laboratory Procedures 4