VTNE Laboratory Procedures 5

Question 1

A blood smear from a cat shows pale-staining, small RBCs with a high central pallor. What morphology is described?

Accepted Answer

Hypochromic microcytes

Answer

Hypochromic microcytes are smaller than normal with increased central pallor, indicating iron deficiency or chronic blood loss impairing hemoglobin synthesis.

Question 2

Which test is the gold standard for confirming hypothyroidism in dogs?

Accepted Answer

Free T4 by equilibrium dialysis (fT4ed)

Answer

Free T4 by equilibrium dialysis is considered the most accurate single test for diagnosing canine hypothyroidism because it is unaffected by binding protein changes and euthyroid sick syndrome.

Question 3

A sample requiring immediate serum separation should ideally be centrifuged within how many minutes of collection?

Accepted Answer

30 minutes

Answer

Serum should be separated from the clot within 30 minutes of collection to prevent analyte shifts (e.g., potassium leaking from RBCs, glucose consumption).

Question 4

Which organism causes salmon poisoning disease in dogs in the Pacific Northwest and is transmitted via Nanophyetus salmincola flukes?

Accepted Answer

Neorickettsia helminthoeca

Answer

Neorickettsia helminthoeca is the rickettsial organism transmitted by the intestinal fluke Nanophyetus salmincola found in raw Pacific salmon, causing potentially fatal salmon poisoning disease.

Question 5

When performing a bone marrow biopsy cytology evaluation, a myeloid:erythroid (M:E) ratio greater than 3:1 suggests:

Accepted Answer

Granulocytic hyperplasia or erythroid hypoplasia

Answer

A high M:E ratio (>3:1) indicates either increased granulocytic production (e.g., infection, inflammation) or decreased erythroid production.

VTNE - Veterinary Technician National Examination Practice Test

VTNE - Veterinary Technician National Examination Practice Test

VTNE Laboratory Procedures 5