Cytology Technique Q&A Most Expected Questions ASCPI Exam

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Part 1: General Considerations & Cell Differentiation

  1. What is defined as the study of cells in terms of structure, function, and chemistry?
  2. A) Histology
  3. B) Cytology
  4. C) Physiology
  5. D) Pathology

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which branch of pathology specifically studies and diagnoses diseases at the cellular level?
  2. A) Hematology
  3. B) Cytopathology
  4. C) Microbiology
  5. D) Immunology

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. In the context of exfoliative cytology, the presence of which cell types is considered normal?
  2. A) Malignant cells
  3. B) Nucleated or non-nucleated epithelial cells
  4. C) Invasive carcinoma cells
  5. D) High-ratio nucleus cells

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which of the following is a key observation used to identify malignant cells?
  2. A) Decreased nucleus size
  3. B) Low nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio
  4. C) Increased diameter with dense chromatin
  5. D) Increased adhesiveness

Correct Answer: C

 

  1. How does the adhesiveness of malignant tumor cells typically change compared to normal cells?
  2. A) It increases significantly
  3. B) It decreases
  4. C) It remains the same
  5. D) Cells become fused together

Correct Answer: B

 

 

Part 2: Sampling Techniques & Specimen Requirements

 

  1. What is the term for the spontaneous shedding of cells from the lining of an organ into a body cavity?
  2. A) Abrasive sampling
  3. B) Exfoliation by nonabrasive methods
  4. C) Fine needle aspiration
  5. D) Gastric lavage

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which sampling method allows for direct sampling of targets like the uterine cervix or bronchus using flexible fiber-optic instruments?
  2. A) Spontaneous exfoliation
  3. B) Collections of cells removed by brushing
  4. C) Sputum collection
  5. D) Clean-catch urine

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What does the acronym FNAC stand for in cytological procedures?
  2. A) Fixed Needle Aspiration Cytology
  3. B) Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology
  4. C) Fluid Nucleus Analysis Center
  5. D) Fast Neural Assessment Cytology

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. For a sputum study, which specimen is most likely to contain cells from the lower respiratory tract?
  2. A) Saliva collected at midday
  3. B) Early morning specimen from a deep cough
  4. C) Evening specimen after eating
  5. D) Swab from the throat

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. How many successive days of urine collection are generally recommended for an accurate cytological study?
  2. A) One day
  3. B) Two days
  4. C) Three days
  5. D) Seven days

Correct Answer: C

 

  1. Which anticoagulant is recommended for body fluids if they cannot be processed immediately?
  2. A) EDTA
  3. B) Heparin
  4. C) Citrate
  5. D) Oxalate

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. For gastric lavage, how long should a patient fast before the procedure?
  2. A) At least 1 hour
  3. B) At least 8 to 12 hours
  4. C) No fasting is required
  5. D) 24 hours

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. In nipple discharge collection, what should be done before taking the smear?
  2. A) Apply a heating pad
  3. B) Wipe and carefully clean the surface of the nipple
  4. C) Perform a biopsy
  5. D) Apply antibiotic cream

Correct Answer: B

 

Part 3: Fixation of Cytological Smears

 

  1. Why is it critical to fix cytological smears immediately?
  2. A) To allow the cells to grow
  3. B) To prevent air drying and distortion of cellular features
  4. C) To change the color of the cells
  5. D) To make the smear thicker

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What is the standard ratio for an Alcohol-Ether fixative?
  2. A) 10:90
  3. B) 50:50 (1:1)
  4. C) 70:30
  5. D) 95:5

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which fixative is noted for being a “rapidly penetrating” and “excellent” specimen fixative, though it causes some shrinkage?
  2. A) 95% Ethanol
  3. B) Carnoy’s Fluid
  4. C) Formalin
  5. D) Saline

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What is the recommended minimum time for fixing a pre-labeled smear in 95% alcohol?
  2. A) 2 minutes
  3. B) 15 to 30 minutes
  4. C) 12 hours
  5. D) 24 hours

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which fixative contains mercuric chloride and requires washing in distilled water before staining?
  2. A) Carnoy’s Fluid
  3. B) Schaudinn’s Fluid
  4. C) Alcohol-Ether
  5. D) Formal vapor

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Formal vapor is primarily recommended for the demonstration of which cellular component?
  2. A) Nucleus
  3. B) Lipids
  4. C) DNA
  5. D) Cell membrane

Correct Answer: B

 

 Part 4: Smear Preparation & Special Techniques

 

  1. Which smear preparation method involves placing a second slide over the first to allow the drop to spread by surface tension?
  2. A) Streaking
  3. B) Spreading
  4. C) Pull-through
  5. D) Brushing

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. The “Cell Block Technique” is particularly useful for which type of specimen?
  2. A) Skin scrapings
  3. B) Residual fluid/sediment from effusions or washings
  4. C) Solid tumor biopsies
  5. D) Single blood drops

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What is a primary advantage of Liquid-based cytology (LBC) over conventional smears?
  2. A) It is cheaper
  3. B) It reduces obscuring inflammatory cells and debris
  4. C) It requires no fixation
  5. D) It can only be used for blood

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which technique is used to obtain a monolayer cell preparation from very dilute body fluids?
  2. A) Gastric lavage
  3. B) Cytocentrifuge
  4. C) Streaking
  5. D) Manual spreading

Correct Answer: B

 

Part 5: Staining Methods (Papanicolaou & Others)

 

  1. In the Papanicolaou (Pap) stain, which reagent is used to stain the nuclei?
  2. A) Orange G6
  3. B) EA 36
  4. C) Harris alum hematoxylin
  5. D) Xylene

Correct Answer: C

 

  1. What is the role of Orange G6 (OG6) in the Pap staining procedure?
  2. A) To stain the nucleus blue
  3. B) To stain the cytoplasm (specifically keratinized cells)
  4. C) To act as a fixative
  5. D) To clear the slide

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What color does the nucleus appear after a successful Papanicolaou stain?
  2. A) Pink
  3. B) Blue
  4. C) Green
  5. D) Yellow

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which stain is described as a “useful technique for FNAC smears” and consists of methylene blue and eosin?
  2. A) Pap stain
  3. B) May Grunwald Giemsa (MGG)
  4. C) Toluidine blue
  5. D) Cresyl violet

Correct Answer: B

  1. Which rapid stain is specifically used for the immediate evaluation of FNAC aspirates to check for adequacy?
  2. A) PAS stain
  3. B) Toluidine blue
  4. C) ZN stain

) GMS stain

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. The Saline Dehydration Technique is used to manage which type of specimen?
  2. A) Fatty tissue
  3. B) Hemorrhagic fluids (to lyse red blood cells)
  4. C) Dry skin scrapings
  5. D) Pure mucus

Correct Answer: B

 

 

 

 Part 6: Troubleshooting & Special Stains

 

  1. If a cytological smear shows a “nuclear stain too pale,” what is a potential remedy?
  2. A) Use more xylene
  3. B) Check the preparation of acid alcohol or re-fix the slide
  4. C) Decrease staining time
  5. D) Use thicker smears

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What is the cause of “air dried smears prior to fixation”?
  2. A) Too much fixative
  3. B) Delay in placing the slide in the fixative jar
  4. C) High humidity
  5. D) Using 95% alcohol

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which special stain is used specifically for identifying Acid-fast bacilli?
  2. A) PAS
  3. B) ZN (Ziehl-Neelsen) stain
  4. C) GMS
  5. D) Oil Red ‘O’

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which stain is used to demonstrate fungi, such as Pneumocystis jiroveci?
  2. A) Alcyan blue
  3. B) GMS (Grocott Methenamine Silver)
  4. C) Mucicarmine
  5. D) ZN

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. The PAS (Periodic acid-Schiff) stain is used to distinguish between which of the following?
  2. A) Bacteria and viruses
  3. B) Neutral mucins and acid mucins (using diastase digestion)
  4. C) Red and white blood cells
  5. D) Living and dead cells

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Oil Red ‘O’ is used in cytology to identify which substance?
  2. A) Glycogen
  3. B) Lipids (fat)
  4. C) Iron
  5. D) DNA

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which stain is used to demonstrate acid mucins?
  2. A) Alcyan blue
  3. B) Gram stain
  4. C) ZN stain
  5. D) Hematoxylin

Correct Answer: A

 

  1. What is the purpose of using a “filter” in the maintenance of stains?
  2. A) To change the color
  3. B) To remove cell debris that could cause cross-contamination
  4. C) To make the stain more acidic
  5. D) To speed up the staining process

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. How often should OG-6 and EA solutions generally be replaced?
  2. A) Every year
  3. B) Every 1-3 months, depending on volume
  4. C) Every day
  5. D) Never

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. In IHC (Immunohistochemistry) preparation, smears must be fixed for a minimum of how many minutes?
  2. A) 5 minutes
  3. B) 30 minutes
  4. C) 2 hours
  5. D) 24 hours

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What is a common cause of “uneven staining” on a slide?
  2. A) Using too much alcohol
  3. B) Improper removal of spray fixative or uneven smear thickness
  4. C) Freshly prepared stains
  5. D) Proper fixation

Correct Answer: B

 

 Part 7: Specific Specimen Collection Requirements

 

  1. Why is the “first morning urine” generally avoided for cytological examination?
  2. A) It is too concentrated
  3. B) The cells often show degenerative changes due to overnight stay in the bladder
  4. C) It contains too much glucose
  5. D) It is difficult for the patient to collect

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. In sputum collection, what is the purpose of a 3-day successive collection?
  2. A) To increase the volume of saliva
  3. B) To increase the chances of detecting malignant cells
  4. C) To reduce the need for fixation
  5. D) To make the specimen easier to centrifuge

Correct Answer: B

  1. What is the recommended concentration of Isopropanol when used as a cytological fixative?
  2. A) 50%
  3. B) 70%
  4. C) 80%
  5. D) 100%

Correct Answer: C

 

  1. Which sampling method is used for palpable lumps like abscesses or growths?
  2. A) Spontaneous exfoliation
  3. B) Gastric lavage
  4. C) Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA)
  5. D) Sputum induction

Correct Answer: C

 

  1. Which fluid is used to wash the target organ during a “lavage” procedure?
  2. A) Formalin
  3. B) Normal saline
  4. C) Alcohol
  5. D) Distilled water

Correct Answer: B

 

Part 8: Advanced Fixation & Preparation Techniques

 

  1. What is the primary disadvantage of using Carnoy’s Fluid as a fixative?
  2. A) It is very slow to penetrate
  3. B) It causes significant cell shrinkage
  4. C) It cannot be used for bloody specimens
  5. D) It turns the cells green

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. At what distance should a spray fixative be applied to a cytological smear?
  2. A) 2-4 inches
  3. B) 5-7 inches
  4. C) 10-12 inches
  5. D) 20-25 inches

Correct Answer: C

 

  1. Which smear preparation technique is most suitable for mucoid specimens like sputum or gastric lavage?
  2. A) Streaking
  3. B) Pick and Smear
  4. C) Pull-through
  5. D) Touch prep

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What is the “Impression Smear” (Touch Preparation) primarily used for?
  2. A) Urine samples
  3. B) Freshly cut tissue surfaces or lymph nodes
  4. C) Bronchial brushings
  5. D) Nipple discharge

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. In the “Cell Block Technique,” what is the sedimented material mixed with to form a block?
  2. A) Alcohol and Ether
  3. B) Pooled plasma and thrombin (or agar)
  4. C) Saline and water
  5. D) OG-6 and EA-36

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What is the centrifugation speed required for the Nathan alcohol formalin (NAF) method in cell block preparation?
  2. A) 1000 RPM
  3. B) 2000 RPM
  4. C) 3000 RPM
  5. D) 5000 RPM

Correct Answer: C

 

—

 

 Part 9: Liquid-Based Cytology (LBC) & Cytocentrifugation

 

  1. Which LBC method uses a “monolayer” principle by capturing cells on a polycarbonate filter?
  2. A) Manual spreading
  3. B) Thin Prep
  4. C) Cell Block
  5. D) Pap staining

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What is a major advantage of LBC over conventional smears regarding “obscuring factors”?
  2. A) It makes the cells larger
  3. B) It minimizes inflammatory cells and debris
  4. C) It requires no reagents
  5. D) It can be done without a microscope

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. The Cytocentrifuge is most effective for which type of specimen?
  2. A) Thick, mucoid sputum
  3. B) Very dilute (pauci-cellular) body fluids
  4. C) Solid tissue biopsies
  5. D) Stool samples

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. How long is a cytocentrifuge typically run to achieve a monolayer preparation?
  2. A) 30 seconds
  3. B) 2 minutes
  4. C) 5 minutes
  5. D) 15 minutes

Correct Answer: C

 

 Part 10: Detailed Staining Procedures (Pap, MGG, Cresyl Violet)

 

  1. In the Papanicolaou stain, what is the role of 0.5% (v/v) hydrochloric acid?
  2. A) To act as a differentiator (acid-alcohol reagent)
  3. B) To stain the cytoplasm green
  4. C) To fix the cells to the slide
  5. D) To clear the xylene

Correct Answer: A

 

  1. Which component of the EA-36 stain is responsible for staining the cytoplasm of cells?
  2. A) Hematoxylin
  3. B) Light green SF and Eosin Y
  4. C) Orange G
  5. D) Mercuric chloride

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What is the primary use of the Cresyl Violet stain in exfoliative cytology?
  2. A) To identify fungi
  3. B) To give fast and clear cellular details
  4. C) To identify lipids
  5. D) To stain the background blue

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which staining method is classified as a “Romanowsky” stain and is used for FNAC smears?
  2. A) Pap stain
  3. B) May-Grunwald Giemsa (MGG)
  4. C) ZN stain
  5. D) PAS stain

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. How many dips are recommended in the “bluing” step (running tap water) during the Pap stain?
  2. A) 1 dip
  3. B) 10 dips (or check until the nuclei are blue)
  4. C) 50 dips
  5. D) 100 dips

Correct Answer: B

 

 Part 11: Special Stains & Diagnostic Indicators

 

  1. Which stain is used to distinguish between neutral and acid mucins?
  2. A) ZN stain
  3. B) PAS stain (with diastase digestion)
  4. C) Oil Red ‘O’
  5. D) MGG stain

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. To identify *Cryptococcus* or epithelial mucins, which stain is most appropriate?
  2. A) GMS
  3. B) Mucicarmine
  4. C) Cresyl violet
  5. D) Hematoxylin

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What color does *Acid-fast bacilli* appear when stained with the ZN method?
  2. A) Blue
  3. B) Red
  4. C) Green
  5. D) Yellow

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which stain is specifically used to demonstrate iron (hemosiderin) in cells?
  2. A) PAS
  3. B) Perl’s Prussian Blue
  4. C) Alcian blue
  5. D) Toluidine blue

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. In Immunohistochemistry (IHC), what is the “quench” step used for?
  2. A) To stain the nucleus
  3. B) To block endogenous peroxidase activity
  4. C) To dry the slide
  5. D) To remove the coverslip

Correct Answer: B

 

 Part 12: Troubleshooting, Maintenance & Quality Control

 

  1. Problem: “Nuclei are too dark (overstained).” What is the likely cause?
  2. A) Excess differentiation
  3. B) Insufficient differentiation or too long in Hematoxylin
  4. C) Using cold water
  5. D) Using thin smears

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Problem: “Opaque/cloudy cytoplasm.” What is the recommended remedy?
  2. A) Use more OG-6
  3. B) Check the dehydrating alcohols for water contamination
  4. C) Re-fix in formalin
  5. D) Increase xylene time

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. How frequently should stains be filtered to prevent cross-contamination (cell floaters)?
  2. A) Weekly
  3. B) Daily
  4. C) Monthly
  5. D) Only when they look dirty

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Where should cytological stains be stored to maintain their quality?
  2. A) In direct sunlight
  3. B) In dark bottles when not in use
  4. C) In the freezer
  5. D) In open plastic trays

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which reagent in the Pap stain procedure should be replaced most frequently to ensure crisp contrast?
  2. A) Xylene
  3. B) OG-6 and EA solutions
  4. C) Tap water
  5. D) Hydrochloric acid

Correct Answer: B

 

 Part 13: General Cytopathology Concepts

 

  1. Which of the following describes “Cell Biology” according to the sources?
  2. A) The study of abnormal diseases
  3. B) The study of normal cellular anatomy, function, and chemistry
  4. C) The study of tissues (histology)
  5. D) The study of bacteria

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Malignant cells often show “dense chromatin.” What does this mean for the nucleus?
  2. A) It becomes invisible
  3. B) It appears darker and more crowded/granular
  4. C) It disappears entirely
  5. D) It turns bright red

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which body cavity fluid is typically collected for cytopathology?
  2. A) Saliva
  3. B) Pleural or peritoneal fluid
  4. C) Sweat
  5. D) Tears

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What is the standard fixative for “Nipple Discharge” smears?
  2. A) Formalin
  3. B) 95% ethanol
  4. C) Saline
  5. D) Glacial acetic acid

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What is the purpose of the “Saline Dehydration Technique”?
  2. A) To preserve cells forever
  3. B) To lyse red blood cells in hemorrhagic fluids
  4. C) To stain the nucleus blue
  5. D) To make the slide dry faster

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which rapid stain is specifically mentioned as a way to control cross-contamination by using it on “fresh” sets of reagents?
  2. A) PAS
  3. B) Toluidine Blue
  4. C) ZN
  5. D) GMS

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What is the “Harris alum hematoxylin” specifically staining in the Pap method?
  2. A) Cell wall
  3. B) Nucleus
  4. C) Cytoplasm
  5. D) Mitochondria

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. If a slide shows “Microscopic water droplets,” what was the likely error?
  2. A) Too much stain
  3. B) Incomplete dehydration before clearing in xylene
  4. C) Too much fixative
  5. D) The slide was too thin

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. How should smears be placed in the fixative jar to prevent them from sticking together?
  2. A) Face-to-face
  3. B) Back-to-back (or using a divider/staining rack)
  4. C) Stacked on top of each other
  5. D) Floating on the surface

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which term refers to the “spontaneous shedding of cells”?
  2. A) Aspiration
  3. B) Exfoliation
  4. C) Biopsy
  5. D) Abrasion

Correct Answer: B

 

 Part 14: Advanced Specimen Processing & Smear Prep

 

  1. Which centrifugation speed is specifically recommended for processing urine specimens?
  2. A) 1000 rpm
  3. B) 2000 rpm for 2 minutes
  4. C) 3000 rpm for 10 minutes
  5. D) 5000 rpm for 1 minute

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. In the Saccomanno’s technique for sputum, what is the concentration of the alcohol used?
  2. A) 30% ethanol
  3. B) 50% (v/v) alcohol
  4. C) 95% ethanol
  5. D) 100% methanol

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which preparation method is best for very liquid specimens like nipple discharge or urine?
  2. A) Streaking
  3. B) Spreading
  4. C) Pick and Smear
  5. D) Touch prep

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What is a “Touch Preparation” (Impression Smear) used for?
  2. A) Liquid urine
  3. B) Freshly cut surfaces of tissue (e.g., lymph nodes)
  4. C) Sputum
  5. D) Gastric washings

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What is the primary benefit of the “Cell Block Technique” regarding further analysis?
  2. A) It makes cells bigger
  3. B) It allows for multiple and serial sections for special stains and IHC
  4. C) It is faster than a normal smear
  5. D) It does not require fixation

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. In the Nathan alcohol formalin (NAF) method for cell blocks, what is the ratio of 40% formaldehyde to 95% ethanol?
  2. A) 1:1
  3. B) 1:9
  4. C) 1:10
  5. D) 2:1

Correct Answer: B

 

 Part 15: Liquid-Based Cytology (LBC) Mechanics

 

  1. Which step in the Thin Prep process involves the homogenization of the specimen?
  2. A) Collection
  3. B) Dispersion
  4. C) Cell Collection
  5. D) Cell Transfer

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. How are cells collected in the Thin Prep process?
  2. A) By gravity
  3. B) By a gentle negative pressure that draws fluid through a filter
  4. C) By boiling the fluid
  5. D) By adding salt

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which LBC process involves cells being transferred to a slide via “positive pressure”?
  2. A) Dispersion
  3. B) Cell Collection
  4. C) Cell Transfer
  5. D) Fixation

Correct Answer: C

 

  1. What is a major clinical advantage of LBC over conventional smears?
  2. A) It eliminates the need for doctors
  3. B) It improves cell preservation and reduces the number of “unsatisfactory” slides
  4. C) It is always cheaper
  5. D) It uses no alcohol

Correct Answer: B

 

 Part 16: Papanicolaou (Pap) Stain Reagents & Steps

 

  1. What is the “OG-6” reagent primarily used to demonstrate?
  2. A) Nuclei
  3. B) The cytoplasm of keratinized cells
  4. C) Fungi
  5. D) Lipids

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. In the Pap stain, what is the role of 95% ethanol?
  2. A) To stain the cells red
  3. B) To act as both a fixative and a dehydrating agent
  4. C) To dissolve the slide
  5. D) To clear the xylene

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What color do the “acidophilic” cells (like superficial squamous cells) appear in a Pap stain?
  2. A) Blue
  3. B) Pink
  4. C) Green
  5. D) Yellow

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What color do “basophilic” cells (like parabasal cells) appear in a Pap stain?
  2. A) Red
  3. B) Blue-green or Green
  4. C) Bright orange
  5. D) Black

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. How long should a smear be rinsed in tap water after Hematoxylin to ensure the nuclei turn blue?
  2. A) 1 second
  3. B) Check the slide under the microscope (or roughly 10 dips)
  4. C) 30 minutes
  5. D) 1 hour

Correct Answer: B

 

 Part 17: Rapid & Special Staining Procedures

 

  1. Which rapid stain provides “fast and clear clear cellular details” for exfoliative cytology?
  2. A) ZN Stain
  3. B) Cresyl Violet
  4. C) PAS
  5. D) Oil Red ‘O’

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What is the purpose of the “May-Grunwald Giemsa (MGG)” stain in FNAC?
  2. A) To identify only cancer
  3. B) To distinguish between acidic and basic dye-optimized structures
  4. C) To stain the slide in 1 second
  5. D) To remove the coverslip

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which reagent is used as the fixative for MGG staining?
  2. A) Formalin
  3. B) Methanol
  4. C) Saline
  5. D) Tap water

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which rapid stain is used to “control cross-contamination” between slides?
  2. A) Toluidine Blue
  3. B) Hematoxylin
  4. C) OG-6
  5. D) EA-36

Correct Answer: A

 

  1. How long does the “Saline Dehydration Technique” typically take for rehydrating a smear?
  2. A) 1 second
  3. B) 30 seconds
  4. C) 1 hour
  5. D) 24 hours

Correct Answer: B

 

 Part 18: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) & Special Applications

 

  1. Before IHC staining, for how long must cytological smears be fixed?
  2. A) 5 minutes
  3. B) Minimum of 30 minutes
  4. C) 12 hours
  5. D) 2 days

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. In IHC, what is used to block “endogenous peroxidase activity”?
  2. A) Saline
  3. B) 0.3% (v/v) hydrogen peroxide/methanol
  4. C) Hematoxylin
  5. D) Tap water

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What is the first step in preparing an air-dried smear for IHC?
  2. A) Staining with OG-6
  3. B) Rehydrating by flooding the smear in normal saline
  4. C) Drying it with a hair dryer
  5. D) Dipping it in xylene

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which special stain is used for “Pneumocystis jiroveci”?
  2. A) PAS
  3. B) GMS (Grocott Methenamine Silver)
  4. C) ZN
  5. D) Mucicarmine

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. To demonstrate “neutral mucins” and distinguish them from acid mucins, which technique is used?
  2. A) ZN stain
  3. B) PAS with diastase digestion
  4. C) Oil Red ‘O’
  5. D) Alcyan blue

Correct Answer: B

 

—

 

 Part 19: Troubleshooting & Maintenance

 

  1. Problem: “Nuclear stain is too weak.” What is a likely cause?
  2. A) Too much Hematoxylin
  3. B) Excess differentiation or weak Hematoxylin
  4. C) Using 95% alcohol

) Using xylene

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Problem: “Cytoplasm is gray.” What is a likely cause?
  2. A) Fresh stains
  3. B) Newly prepared Hematoxylin (not yet ripened)
  4. C) Too much OG-6
  5. D) Improper drying

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Problem: “Uneven staining.” What should be checked?
  2. A) The patient’s age
  3. B) Improper removal of spray fixative
  4. C) The room temperature
  5. D) The brand of the slide

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. How often should “Non-gynec specimens” be checked for cross-contamination?
  2. A) Every decade
  3. B) They have high potential for cross-contamination and must be handled carefully
  4. C) Never
  5. D) Only if the doctor asks

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What should be done if “cell floaters” are suspected in the stains?
  2. A) Add more stain
  3. B) Filter the stains and reagents daily
  4. C) Use thicker smears
  5. D) Use cold water

Correct Answer: B

 

 Part 20: General Technical Knowledge

 

  1. Which fixative is recommended for “mercuric chloride” content?
  2. A) Alcohol-ether
  3. B) Schaudinn’s fluid
  4. C) Carnoy’s
  5. D) 95% ethanol

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. In the fixative Alcohol-Ether, what is the specific ratio?
  2. A) 1:10
  3. B) 1:1 (50:50)
  4. C) 9:1
  5. D) 5:1

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Why should slides be placed “back-to-back” in a fixative jar?
  2. A) To save space
  3. B) To prevent smears from sticking together
  4. C) To make them dry faster
  5. D) To use less alcohol

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What is the standard concentration for “Formal vapor”?
  2. A) 10%
  3. B) 40% (v/v) formaldehyde
  4. C) 100%
  5. D) 1%

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which method is used specifically for mucoid specimens like bronchus washings?
  2. A) Streaking
  3. B) Pick and Smear
  4. C) Touch prep
  5. D) Spreading

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. How long should a smear be centrifuged if using the Nathan alcohol formalin (NAF) cell block method?
  2. A) 1 minute
  3. B) 10 minutes at 3000 rpm
  4. C) 1 hour
  5. D) 5 minutes at 100 rpm

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which stain is used to identify “Iron” or “Hemosiderin”?
  2. A) PAS
  3. B) Perl’s Prussian Blue
  4. C) Alcyan blue
  5. D) ZN stain

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which stain is specifically for “Lipid pneumonia”?
  2. A) Mucicarmine
  3. B) Oil Red ‘O’
  4. C) PAS
  5. D) GMS

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What is the purpose of using “dark bottles” for storing stains?
  2. A) To make them look professional
  3. B) To protect the quality of the stains from light degradation
  4. C) To prevent people from seeing the color
  5. D) To make them colder

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which reagent is used for “bluing” the nuclei after acid-alcohol differentiation?
  2. B) Xylene
  3. C) Running tap water (or lithium carbonate)
  4. D) Ethanol
  5. E) OG-6

Correct Answer: B

 

 Part 21: Papanicolaou Staining Results & Reagents

 

  1. In a successfully performed Papanicolaou stain, what color should the nuclei of the cells appear?
  2. A) Pink
  3. B) Blue
  4. C) Green
  5. D) Bright Orange

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What is the primary diagnostic purpose of the Orange G6 (OG6) reagent in the Pap stain?
  2. A) To stain the background
  3. B) To stain the cytoplasm of keratinized cells
  4. C) To differentiate the nucleus
  5. D) To clear the xylene

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which colors are typically visible in the cytoplasm after using the EA 36 or EA 50 stain?
  2. A) Only black and white
  3. B) Varying shades of pink, blue, yellow, green, and gray
  4. C) Only bright red
  5. D) Only deep purple

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. In the Papanicolaou method, which reagent is used for the “hydration” of smears after fixation?
  2. A) 100% Xylene
  3. B) Descending concentrations of ethanol (e.g., 80%, 70%, 50%)
  4. C) Distilled water only
  5. D) Liquid paraffin

Correct Answer: B

 

 Part 22: Rapid Stains & Special Techniques

 

  1. Which rapid stain is commonly used to control cross-contamination and provide immediate evaluation for FNAC?
  2. A) Toluidine Blue
  3. B) Periodic acid-Schiff
  4. C) Ziehl-Neelsen
  5. D) Mucicarmine

Correct Answer: A

 

  1. What is the fixative of choice when preparing a smear for the May Grunwald Giemsa (MGG) stain?
  2. A) Formalin
  3. B) Methanol
  4. C) Glacial acetic acid
  5. D) Ether

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. How does the nucleus appear when stained with the MGG method?
  2. A) Green
  3. B) Purple
  4. C) Red
  5. D) Colorless

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. The “Saline Dehydration Technique” is specifically designed to handle which type of specimen?
  2. A) Clear urine
  3. B) Hemorrhagic (bloody) fluids
  4. C) Dry skin scrapings
  5. D) Saliva

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What is the optimal rehydration time for a smear when using the Saline Dehydration Technique?
  2. A) 1 second
  3. B) 30 seconds
  4. C) 5 minutes
  5. D) 1 hour

Correct Answer: B

 

 Part 23: Troubleshooting Staining Problems

 

  1. If the “nuclear stain is too pale,” which of the following is a recommended remedy?
  2. A) Use more xylene
  3. B) Check the preparation of acid alcohol or replace the Hematoxylin
  4. C) Decrease the staining time
  5. D) Use a thicker smear

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What is the likely cause of “opaque/cloudy cytoplasm” on a finished slide?
  2. A) Too much OG-6
  3. B) Water in the dehydrating alcohols or xylene
  4. C) Over-fixation in alcohol
  5. D) Using tap water for rinsing

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. When “eosinophilic cells appear pink” instead of their intended shade, what may be the problem?
  2. A) Improper fixation
  3. B) Too much Hematoxylin
  4. C) The slide was too thin
  5. D) The xylene was too fresh

Correct Answer: A

 

  1. What causes “uneven staining” across a cytological smear?
  2. A) Using the wrong alcohol concentration
  3. B) Improper removal of spray fixative or uneven smear thickness
  4. C) Staining for too long
  5. D) Using a dark bottle for storage

Correct Answer: B

 

 Part 24: Special Stains

 

  1. Which special stain is used specifically to identify *Acid-fast bacilli*?
  2. A) PAS
  3. B) ZN (Ziehl-Neelsen) stain
  4. C) GMS
  5. D) Alcyan blue

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which stain is required to demonstrate fungi, such as *Pneumocystis jiroveci*?
  2. A) Perl’s
  3. B) GMS (Grocott Methenamine Silver)
  4. C) Oil Red ‘O’
  5. D) Toluidine blue

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which stain is best used to identify *Cryptococcus* or epithelial mucins?
  2. A) ZN
  3. B) Mucicarmine
  4. C) MGG
  5. D) Cresyl violet

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. What is the purpose of the PAS stain with diastase digestion?
  2. A) To stain the nucleus blue
  3. B) To distinguish between acid and neutral mucins
  4. C) To identify lipids
  5. D) To lyse red blood cells

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which stain is used to identify lipids, particularly in cases of lipid pneumonia?
  2. A) Alcian blue
  3. B) Oil Red ‘O’
  4. C) Perl’s Prussian Blue
  5. D) PAS

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. To demonstrate iron or hemosiderin in a specimen, which stain should be applied?
  2. A) GMS
  3. B) Perl’s Prussian Blue
  4. C) ZN
  5. D) OG-6

Correct Answer: B

 

 Part 25: Maintenance, Quality Control & IHC

 

  1. How often should filters and reagents be cleaned/filtered to prevent “cell floaters”?
  2. A) Weekly
  3. B) Daily
  4. C) Monthly
  5. D) Only when the stain changes color

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Why is it important to store stains in dark bottles when not in use?
  2. A) To prevent evaporation
  3. B) To protect them from light, which can degrade stain quality
  4. C) To keep them cool
  5. D) To prevent accidental spills

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. In the preparation for Immunohistochemistry (IHC), what is the minimum time a smear should be fixed?
  2. A) 2 minutes
  3. B) 30 minutes
  4. C) 24 hours
  5. D) 48 hours

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. In IHC, what is the role of 0.3% hydrogen peroxide in methanol?
  2. A) To stain the cells pink
  3. B) To block endogenous peroxidase activity
  4. C) To act as a primary antibody
  5. D) To glue the cells to the slide

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which specimens have a “high potential for cross-contamination” during the staining process?
  2. A) Gynecological smears
  3. B) Non-gynecological specimens
  4. C) Only blood samples
  5. D) Only urine samples

Correct Answer: B

 

 Part 26: General Summary of Cytopathology

 

  1. Which of the following is a characteristic of malignant tumor cells?
  2. A) High adhesiveness
  3. B) Decreased adhesiveness, appearing as loosely attached groups or single cells
  4. C) Small, invisible nuclei
  5. D) Very low nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio

Correct Answer: B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. What is defined as the study of cells in terms of structure, function, and chemistry?
  2. A) Histology
  3. B) Cytology (or cell biology)
  4. C) Anatomy
  5. D) Microbiology

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which sampling method allows for direct sampling of organs like the bronchus using flexible fiber-optic instruments?
  2. A) Spontaneous exfoliation
  3. B) Abrasive techniques/Brushing
  4. C) Fine needle aspiration
  5. D) Gastric lavage

Correct Answer: B

 

  1. Which technique is used to obtain a cell-rich monolayer from very dilute (pauci-cellular) fluids?
  2. A) Pick and Smear
  3. B) Cytocentrifuge
  4. C) Streaking
  5. D) Touch preparation

Correct Answer: B

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