, Test Bank Rodak’s Hematology 6th
Edition Walenga Questions & Answers
with rationales (Chapter 1-43)
Chapter 01-01 Hematology is the study of:
*a. blood cells.
b. serum electrolytes.
c. plasma hormone levels.
d. bacteria in the blood.
General Feedback:
Hematology is the study of blood cells—red blood cells, whiteblood cells, and platelets.
Plasma and serum electrolytes and hormone levels are evaluated in various subdivisions of clinical
chemistry, andbacteria are evaluated in clinical microbiology.
2. Chapter 01-02
The morphology of blood cells is important to evaluate:
a. every time a complete blood count (CBC) is requested on apatient.
b. when an instrument-generated flag is obtained.
*c. when a profiling instrument result is abnormal.
d. when the white count is elevated.
General Feedback:
Every laboratory must determine—based on its instrumentation,needs of the clinician
and other parameter flags that alert the medicallaboratory scientist to the necessity for further
evaluation—when it isnecessary to evaluate cell morphology. Many instrument-generated flags,
although useful, may not require review. If an automated CBC does not suggest the need, no reason
exists to evaluate the blood film, even if the white count is elevated.
3. Chapter 01-03
Who is ultimately responsible for determining the specimen integritybefore analysis?
*a. Medical laboratory professional
b. Nursing staff
c. Phlebotomist
d. Specimen-processing personnel
General Feedback:
The medical laboratory scientist is responsible for ensuring the integrity of a specimen
before analysis. Only he or she can judge whether the specimen is acceptable so that valid results
can be obtained. Acceptable criteria include such things as type of specimen for the test ordered
(e.g., blood, serum, urine); appropriate additive present (if needed) and amount of specimen
relative to the additive; time interval since obtained; and presence or absence of hemolysis, lipemia,
and other similar conditions. None of the other personnel named have the education and
understanding to fully make that judgment.
,4. Chapter 01-04 Hematocrit is
also called:
a. white cell count.
b. bone marrow examination.
c. red blood cell (RBC) count.
*d. packed red cell volume.
General Feedback:
Historically the hematocrit was determined by centrifuging analiquot of
anticoagulated whole blood under specified conditions (e.g.,centrifugal force, capillary tube length,
and bore diameter) and then determining the ratio of the space occupied by the packed red cells
compared with that of the entire blood volume in the capillary tube, often expressed as a
percentage. Hence, it is also called the packed red cell volume.
5. Chapter 01-05
The primary function of platelets is to:
a. defend the body against bacterial invasion.
b. carry oxygen to tissues.
*c. facilitate blood clotting.
d. regulate acid-base balance.
General Feedback:
Whenever disruption occurs to a blood vessel so that bleedingresults, platelets
respond initially to stop the bleeding in small vessels; they also play an integral role in facilitating
the formationof a blood clot. White cells defend against bacterial invasion; red cells (i.e.,
hemoglobin) carry oxygen to tissues; and a complex interaction of plasma electrolytes, proteins, and
carbon dioxide participates in acid-base balance.
6. Chapter 01-06
Which of the following can be evaluated only through the microscopicexamination of a stained blood
film?
a. White blood cell (WBC) count
b. Reticulocyte count
c. Hemoglobin concentration
*d. Presence or absence of cytoplasmic inclusions
General Feedback:
Making and staining a blood film and then placing it under a microscope allow the
medical laboratory scientist to evaluate the morphology of blood cells and examine them for the
presence or absenceof blood cell inclusions. These inclusions are important for cell identification
and, when abnormal inclusions are present, sometimes provide “clues” as to the cause of disease. All
the other parameters mentioned are or can be performed using an automated hematology
instrument, including reticulocyte counting.
, 7. Chapter 01-07
Upon centrifugation of a blood specimen, the layer between the redblood cells and plasma is called
the:
a. hematocrit.
*b. buffy coat.
c. serum.
d. platelet pellet.
General Feedback:
When blood is centrifuged, the layer between the red cells and plasma is called the
buffy coat. This layer consists of both white blood cells and platelets. The hematocrit is the packed
cell volume that reflects the number of red blood cells. The serum is the liquid portion of the blood
formed from a clotted blood sample. The platelet pellet is a special layer of platelets that is required
for platelet function studies. This layer of platelets is prepared from a whole blood specimen using
specific centrifugation time and speed.
8. Chapter 01-08
Select the term that describes a low white blood cell count.
*a. Leukopenia
b. Leukocytosis
c. Neutropenia
d. Leukemia
General Feedback:
The term leukopenia refers to a low total white blood cell count. Leukocytosis is a term
that describes an increase in white bloodcell count. Neutropenia is a low cell count that is specific to
the neutrophils. Leukemia is cancer of the blood cells, most often white blood cells.
