Laboratory Procedures

Question 1

Which of the following methods should be used when it is necessary to obtain a sterile urine sample: Abdominocentesis, Urethral catheterization, voided catch, or cystocentesis?

Answer 1

Cystocentesis is the preferred method of urine collection in cases that necessitate sterility of the sample (such as bacterial culture of the urine). This method is least likely to produce a contaminated sample. After cystocentesis, sterile urethral catheterization and midstream free catch are preferred.

Question 2

What characteristic of gram-positive organisms allows them to readily take up and retain violet stain: Low amount of peptidoglycan in cell wall; High amount of peptidoglycan in the cell wall; Low amount of peptidoglycan in cytoplasm; or Low amount of teichoic acid in cytoplasm?

Answer 2

High amounts of peptidoglycan in the cell wall of a gram-positive organism allows them to readily take up and retain violet stain.

Question 3

What makes viruses difficult to treat: Viruses multiple only in dead tissue; Viruses thrive on by-products of the body’s normal functions, such as saliva or urine; Viruses are highly resistant to medicatons; Viruses live inside cells.

Answer 3

Viruses are difficult to treat because they live inside cells. Since virues live inside of the cell, they are protected from medications that move through the blood stream.

Question 4

What is the function of interleukins: Transmit neurologic impulses; Regulate immune response; Maintain homeostatis; or Regulate hormone balance?

Answer 4

Regulate immune response - Interleukins are proteins (cytokines) that stimulate certain cellular activities, responsible for the overall regulation of the body’s immune response.

Question 5

Dohle bodies seen in large numbers on a blood smear are a sign of what: Appropriate granulation, Autoagglutination, Toxic granulation, Hemolysis?

Answer 5

Toxic Granulation - Dohle bodies seen in large numbers on a blood smear are a sign of toxic granulation, often indicating that there is bacterial infection present. Toxic granulations are located in granulocytes and are often seen in case of inflammation

Question 6

Which piece of laboratory equipment is used to hold samples being heated at high temperatures: Vacutainers, Crucibles, Pipettes, or Bunsen burners?

Answer 6

Crucibles

Question 7

Inappropriate blood cholesterol levels may indicate malfunction of which of the following glands: Sebaceous Gland, Thyroid Gland, Adrenal Gland, or Pineal Gland?

Answer 7

Thyroid Gland - The thyroid hormone controls synthesis and destruction of cholesterol.

Question 8

Cornified cells found on a canine vaginal smear indicate which of the following: Estrous, Vaginitis, Vaginosis, or Pregnancy?

Answer 8

Estrous

Question 9

Which of the following indicates normal hemoglobin values for canines: 11.9 to 18.4 g/dl; 2 to 7 g/dl; 9 to 15.6 g/dl; 21.5 to 26 g/dl?

Answer 9

11.9 to 18.4 g/dl - Because the normal hemoglobin value for canines is 11.9 to 18.4 g/dl.

Question 10

If an animal has swollen joints, its synovial fluid is collected and evaluated. Normal joint fluid is generally clear and colorless, and it contains which of the following proteins: Mucin, Albumin, Hemoglobin, or Collagen?

Answer 10

Mucin - Normal synovial fluid contains the protein mucin. If mucin is present in the synovial fluid during a mucin clot test, a tight, which clot will form. If the mucin in the fluid has been compromised, a soft, less distinct clot will form.

Question 11

A heartworm test will give a false negative result under which of the following conditions: only male heartworms are present; only older heartworms are present; only female heartworms are present; or only immature heartworms are present?

Answer 11

False negative results can occur when an infestation contains only male heartworms. Heartworm tests are only sensitive to the presence of female heartworms. If a very minimal amount of female heartworms are present, a false negative result can occur.

Question 12

True or false, leukocytes are most commonly referred to as “red blood cells.”

Answer 12

False, leukocytes are most commonly referred to as white blood cells. Red blood cells are referred to as erythrocytes.

Question 13

Reagent strips are used to measure protein in urine. Which protein are reagent strips most sensitive to: Albumin, Hemoglobin, Myoglobin, or Globulin?

Answer 13

Albumin - Reagent strips are most sensitive to albumin. Reagent strips are able to measure proteineria from a negative to 4+, with normal urine generally reading at a 1+. Proteinuria is generally caused by urinary tract inflammation or hemorrhage in the urinary tract.

Question 14

Sometimes casts are found in urine during a urinalysis. Which type of cast is considered normal: Waxy, Fatty, Cellular, or Granular?

Answer 14

Granular - Hyaline casts are also considered to be normal. Casts are proteins that contain entrapped cells. When casts are found in urine, it localizes the problem to the kidneys.

Question 15

A blood agar plate is a type of culture media that is used as a primary isolation medium and a streak for colony isolation. This media contains trypticase soy agar with which of the following: 5% canine blood, 5% feline blood, 5% sheep blood, or 5% goat blood?

Answer 15

5% sheep blood - This type of media will allow the growth of most bacteria.

Question 16

An elevation in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine is indicative of which of the following: Atopic Disease, Hepatic Disease, Neurologic Disease, or Renal Disease?

Answer 16

Renal Disease - BUN and creatinine are blood chemistry values used to evaluate kidney function.

Question 17

What is the term used to describe irrevelant laboratory findings that are often a result of the laboratory procedure itself: Artifact, Detritus, By-product, or Contamination?

Answer 17

Artifact

By-product is used to refer to a secondary or incidental product. Contamination is used to refer to an impurity or an unwanted constituent. Detritus is used to refer to refuse or debris.

Question 18

What laboratory diagnostic is performed with the purpose of ensuring the success of antimicrobial therapy: Cytology, Packed cell volume, Trichogram, or Culture and sensitivity?

Answer 18

Culture and Sensitivity - In order to ensure the success of antimicrobial therapy, it is best to submit a sample from the infected area for culture. A sensitivity panel should also be performed on any organisms found and provide a list of most effective microbial options.

Question 19

Bacteria prefer what type of environment: Low pH, High pH, Neutral pH, or pH does not affect bacteria?

Answer 19

Neutral pH - Bacteria grows best in a pH between 6.5 and 7.5, which is a neutral pH.

Question 20

High levels of glucose in urine can indicate what disease process: Addison’s Disease, Diabetes, Lymphoma, or Cushing’s Disease?

Answer 20

Diabetes - Diabetes is a disorder consisting of an inability to properly control blood sugar levels. As blood sugar increases, it leaks into the urine. Glucose is not found in the urine under normal circumstances.

Question 21

What is a common cause of an artificially low reading of platelet count: Thrombolysis, Platelet Clumping, Platelets scattering over all areas of the body, or Platelet Morphing?

Answer 21

Platelet Clumping - Platelets will often clump together and will be read by diagnostic machines as single cells, rather than multiples.

Question 22

Pipettes are used for which of the following purposes in a laboratory: To hold samples for heating; To separate gases; To transport a specific volume of liquid; or To collect urine samples?

Answer 22

To transport a specific volume of liquid - Pipettes are laboratory equipment used to measure and transport a specific volume of liquid.

Question 23

A buffy coat is composed of which type of cells: Erythrocytes, Thrombocytes, Leukocytes, or Epithelial Cells?

Answer 23

Leukocytes - Larger buffy coats may be noted in patients with an ongoing infection.

Question 24

Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT) are two common coagulation cascade tests used. Both of these tests require whole blood to be added in which of the following manners: A) To a blue-top tube using a 9:1 ratio of blood to trisodium citrate; B) To a lavender-top tube using a 9:1 ratio of blood to ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; C) To a red-top tube using a 9:1 ratio of blood to distilled water; D) To a green-top tube using a 9:1 ratio of blood to heparin?

Answer 24

To a blue-top tube using a 9:1 ratio of blood to trisodium citrate - Coagulation cascade is secondary hemostasis or blood clotting.

Question 25

Basophils containing numerous granules that are a dark bluish-purple color normally appear in which of the following: Cats, Dogs, Horses, or Non-mammalian species?

Answer 25

Horses - Also in cows. If an animal has an increased number of basophils, it generally means the presence of parasite infections or a hypersensitivity reaction.