GENERAL PATHOLOGY AND

HISTOPATHOLOGIC TECHNIQUES
MIDRTERM EXAMINATION
RATIONALE
1. Which of the flowing is a tissue
softener that is also a clearing agent?
A. Molliflex
B. Formic acid
C. Flemmings fluid
D. Perenyis fluid
2. Which of the following fixatives
may be used for the diagnosis of
rabies?
A. Tricholoroacetic acid
B. Acetone
C. Osmic acid
D. Bouins
3. Tissue to dehydrating agent ratio

A. 1:20
B. 20:1
C. 1:10
D. 10:1
4. The most widely used technique
for skin biopsy.
A. Punch biopsy
B. Shave biopsy
C. Bite biopsy
D. Wedge biopsy
5. The most critical step in
histopathology
A. Numbering
B. Labeling
C. Sectioning
D. Fixation
6. When combining acid and water, ensure
that:

A. Acid is added to water

B. Water is added to acid
C. They are added simultaneously
D. Water is slowly added to acid
7. Histochemistry fixation
temperature:
o
A. 22-25 C
o
B. 40 C
o
C. 0-4 C
o
D. 60 C
8. En bloc technique
A. Rudolf Virchow
B. Carl von Rokitansky
C. Anton Ghon
D. Maurice Letulle
9. Autopsy comes from the
__________ word Autopsia which
means ______________________
A. Latin; to look for oneself
B. Latin; to see for yourself
C. Greek; to look for oneself
D. Greek; to see for yourself
10. Air filled lungs may float on a fixative. To
avoid this, the lungs should be packed with
cotton soaked in fixative
A. Both statements are true
B. Both statements are false
C. First statement is true, second statement is
false
D. First statement is false, second statement
is true
11. Mercuric chloride fixative
except:
A. Bouins solution
B. Hellys solution
C. Zenkers fluid
D. Heidenhains Susa solution
12. Highly explosive when dry

A. Bouins solution
B. Glutaraldehyde
C. Hellys solution
D. Regauds fluid
13. This is considered the most rapid
fixative recommended for fixing
chromosomes, lymph glands, and
urgent biopsies.
A. Carnoys fluid
B. Zenkers fluid
C. Orths fluid
D. Newcomers fluid
14. Process of placing an already
fixed tissue into another fixative
A. Secondary Fixation
B. Post-Fixation
C. Subfixation
D. Post-Chromatization
15. The most reliable type of biopsy

A. Incisional biopsy
B. Open biopsy
C. Blind biopsy
D. Bite biopsy
16. Zenker Formol fixative is also
known as

A. Gendres fixative
B. Hellys solution
C. Mullers fluid
D. Formol-Sublimate
17. CLEARING AGENT
recommended for tough tissues

A. Toluene
B. Chloroform
C. Benzene
D. Cedarwood Oil
18. Fixation is enhanced by
1 agitation 2 large tissues
3 moderate heat
A. 1 and 2
B. 1 and 3
C. 2 and 3
D. All of these
19. Autopsy personnel except:

A. Coroner
B. Histology technician
C. Morgue Assistant
D. Pathologist
20. The death certificate must be signed by the
attending physician and the pathologist.
The relative of the deceased must be oriented by
the pathologist, not by the attending physician.

A. Both statements are true

B. Both statements are false
C. First statement is true, second statement is false
D. First statement is false, second statement is true
21. Smear preparation techniques:
1 Crushing 2 Spreading
3 Pull-apart 4 Impression smear

A. 1, 2 and 3
B. 2 and 3
C. 2, 3 and 4
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
22. Mercuric chloride precipitates
left in the tissues can be removed
by immersion of tissues in:
A. Sodium thiosulfate
B. Ammonia water
C. Iodine solution
D. Iodine solution
23.Ideal concentration of fixative for
electron microscopy

A. 2.5%
B. 3.0%
C. 0.25%
D. 0.3%
24. Combustible at o
110-120 F

A. Tetrahydrofuran
B. Dioxane
C. Cellosolve
D. Triethyl phosphate
25. An employee can learn the
carcinogenic potential of dioxane by
consulting the:

A. Chemical hygiene plan

B. Material safety data sheets
C. OSHA standards
D. Histopathology procedure manual
26. Curettage specimen

A. Wedge biopsy
B. Punch biopsy
C. Bite biopsy
D. Shave biopsy
27. Used to remove excess mercuric
fixative

A. Lithium carbonate
B. Tap water
C. 50-70% alcohol
D. Alcoholic iodine
28. Ways of measuring the extent of decalcification
1 Radiological Method
2 Mechanical Test
3 Calcium Oxalate Test

A. 1 and 2
B. 1 and 3
C. 2 and 3
D. All of these
29. Fixative that contains glacial
acetic acid except:

A. Carnoys fluid
B. Bouins solution
C. Newcomers fluid
D. Regauds fluid
30. In histopathology section, __________ is
the most important step while
___________ is the most critical step

A. Numbering; Labeling
B. Fixation; Numbering
C. Labeling; Fixation
D. Numbering; Fixation
31. Most common metallic fixative

A. Bouins
B. Acetone
C. 10% Formol Saline
D. Mercuric Chloride
32. Clearing agent that can be used
as substitute for xylene

A. Benzene
B. Chloroform
C. Toluene
D. Cedarwood oil
33. Fixative recommended for renal
biopsies
A. Bouins
B. Mercuric chloride
C. Formalin
D. Osmium Tetroxide
34. Centrifuging an uncapped specimen
may produce a biological hazard in the
form of:

A. Vectors
B. Sharps contamination
C. Aerosols
D. Specimen contamination.
35. Most common metallic fixative

A. Bouins
B. Acetone
C. 10% Formol Saline
D. Mercuric Chloride
36. An autopsy permit is obtain from:

A. Next kin of the deceased individual

B. Medical director of the hospital
C. Administrator of the hospital
D. Pathologist of the laboratory
37. Which of the following is a slow
dehydrating agent and useful for plant
and animal microtechniques

A. Ethanol
B. Butanol
C. Methanol
D. Isopropanol
38. Decalcifying agent that contains
hydrochloric acid:

A. Perenyis fluid
B. Phloroglucin-nitricd acid
C. Von Ebners fluid
D. EDTA
39. Slow freezing of unfixed tissues near 0oC
must be avoided because:

A. This may promote autolysis

B. This may promote formation of ice crystals
C. This may unduly harden the tissue
D. Prolonged fixation
40. This method of tissue examination is
done by placing a drop of secretion or
sediment upon one slide and facing it to
another clean slide:
A. Pull-apart
B. Touch preparation
C. Streaking
D. Squash preparation
41. In fixing brain tissue, the
string/thread should be tied at what
part of the brain?

A. Hypothalamus
B .Medulla oblongata
C. Circle of Willis
D. Brain Stem
42. Decalcification time of
Phloroglucin-Nitric acid

A. 12-24 hours
B. 12-36 hours
C. 24-48 hours
D. 48-72 hours
43. An autopsy technique in which the thoracic,
cervical, abdominal and pelvic organs removed
en masses and subsequently dissected into organ
blocks

A. Technique of C. Rokitansky
B. Technique of R. Virchow
C. Technique of A. Ghon
D. Technique of M. Letulle
44. Aplastic anemia and bone
marrow disease is attributed mostly
to:
A. Xylene
B. Toluene
C. Chloroform
D. Benzene
45. It is the process of removing
mercuric deposits from fixed tissues by
immersing them in alcoholic iodine
solution prior to staining
A. Lyophilization
B. Dezenkerization
C. Washing out
D. Dealcoholization
46. Xylene turns milky as soon as tissue
is place in it. What could be the possible
cause?

A. Incomplete dehydration
B. Incomplete fixation
C. Prolonged dehydration
D. Prolonged fixation
47. Fixation is enhanced by:

A. Presence of fat and mucus

B. Fixing larger tissue
C. Cold temperature
D. Agitation
48. A special method of smear preparation
whereby the surface of a freshly cut piece of
tissue is brought into contact and pressed on to
the surface of a clean glass slide, allowing cells to
be transferred directly to the slide for
examination.
A. Crushing
B. Pull-Apart
C. Streaking
D. Impression Smear
49. Which of the following is not a
dehydrating agent?

A. Ethanol
B. Benzene
C. Acetone
D. Dioxane
 50. A laboratory worker splashes
concentrated hydrochloric acid in
his/her eye. The best safety measure is to:

A. Wash the eye with dilute sodium hydroxide and call

a physician STAT
B. Wash the eye with distilled water and call a
physician STAT
C. Wash the eye with dilute acetic acid and call a
physician STAT
D. Call the physician and wait for his/her advice
51. An autopsy technique in which
the organs are removed one by one

A Technique of C. Rokitansky
B. Technique of R. Virchow
C. Technique of A. Ghon
D. Technique of M. Letulle
52. Alcoholic fixative stabilizes or
preserves tissues using what
mechanism?
A. Additive fixation
B. Non-additive fixation
C. Secondary Fixation
D. Post-Fixation
53. For tissues needed for museum
preparations, the volume of the fixative
should be _____________ than of the
tissue.
A. 10-20 times
B. 100-200 times
C. 50-100 times
D. 500-1000 times
54. Which of the following is
not true about the X-ray method
used in determining extent
of decalcification?
A. Most ideal method
B. No interference with any other fixative
C. Small foci of calcium can easily be detected
D. All are true statements
55. Fixation of tissues for electron
microscopy using osmic acid is done
at what temperature?
o
A. 40 C
o
B. 37 C
C. Room Temperature
o
D. 4 C
56. Which of the following
fixatives are microanatomic?
A. Carnoys
B. Orths
C. Zenkers
D. Regauds
57. Normal lungs will ____ on
fixative:
A. Sink
B. Shrink
C. Swell
D. Float
58. Fixative recommended for early
degenerative processes and
demonstrates Rickettsia
A. Regauds
B. Orths
C. Hellys
D. Bouins
59. Which of the following is the most
ideal, most sensitive, and most reliable
method of determining the extent of
decalcification
A. Physical
B. Mechanical
C. Radiological
D. Chemical
60. Which of the following is
used to remove alcohol in frozen
sections?
A. Glycerine
B. Gum syrup
C. Both
D. Neither
61. An autopsy technique in which
the organs are removed as organ
blocks
A. Technique of C. Rokitansky
B. Technique of R. Virchow
C. Technique of A. Ghon
D. Technique of M. Letulle
62. A process whereby selected tissue
specimen is immersed in a watch glass
containing isotonic solution, carefully
dissected or separated and examined under
the microscope.
A. Teasing
B. Crushing
C. Streaking
D. Spreading
63. All of the following are safe to do when
removing the source of an electric shock
except:
A. Pulling the person away from the instrument
B. Turning off the circuit breaker
C. Using a glass container to move the
instrument
D. Unplugging the instrument
64. The ascending grade of alcohol
in H & E staining method is used for:

A. Dealcoholization
B. Dehydration
C. Fixation
D. Clearing
65. The ideal time for a
decalcification process to be
completed is between:
A 3-5 days
B. 1-2 days
C. 2-4 days
D. 12-24 hours
66. Which of the fixative preserve
tissues by removal of water
A. Formalin
B. Mercuric Chloride
C. Alcoholic Fixative
D. Brain Stem
67. What compound is present when
cloudiness of the reagent results during
chemical test for complete
decalcification
A. Calcium phosphate
B. Calcium oxalate
C. Calcium sulfate
D. Calcium hydroxide
68. Mercuric chloride may produce
_____ colored deposits during
fixation
A. Yellow
B. Silver
C. White
D. Black
69. The main purpose of fixation is to:

A. Harden the tissue from further

trauma
B. Promote the affinity of stains and dye
C. Promote the attachment of fluids
D. Preserve morphology of cells
70. An employee who is accidentally
exposed to a possible blood-borne
pathogen should immediately:
A. Report to a supervisor
B. Flush the area with water
C. Clean the area with disinfectant
D. Receive HIV prophylaxis
71. Tissue to fixative agent ratio:

A. 1:20
B. 20:1
C. 1:10
D. 10:1
72. Formaldehyde is formed
from the oxidation of:
A. Methanol
B. Ethanol
C. Isopropanol
D. Butanol
73. STAT means:
A. Now
B. Immediately
C. ASAP
D. None of the above
74. The white crystalline precipitate
formed from prolonged standing of
formaldehyde especially at very low
temperature
A. Formic acid
B. Paraformaldehyde
C. Ortho-formaldehyde
D. Acid formaldehyde hematin
75. Rate of penetration of formalin
in tissues
A. 1 mm/hour
B. 10 mm/hour
C. 1 mm/minute
D. 10 mm/minute
76. Which of the following
substances is not a decalcifying
agent?
A. Electrolytic solution
B. Acid alcohol
,

C. Nitric acid
D. Formic acid
77. The best general tissue
fixative
A. 10% formalin
B. Glutaraldehyde
C. 5% formic acid
D. 10% neutral buffered formalin
78. All mercuric chloride-containing
fixatives may produce the characteristic
black granular deposits except:

A. Hellys solution
B. 10 mm/hour
C. Zenkers fluid
D. Heidenhains Susa
79. This metallic fixative is generally
indicated for preserving acid
mucopolysaccharides and mucins
A. Lead fixative
B. Mercury fixative
C. Osmic acid
D. Chromate fixative
80. The optimum temperature of
microwave fixation

A. o
45-55 C
o
B. 100 C
o
C. 37 C
o
D. 60 C
81. EDTA is used to promote bone
decalcification and acts as a(an):
A. Acid
B. Ion-exchange resin
C. Chelating agent
D. Electrolyte
82. A fixative that solidifies at o
17 C

A. Trichloroacetic acid
B. Osmium tetroxide
C. Glacial acetic acid
D. Picric acid
83. Clearing agent that is
easily adulterated
A. Aniline oil
B. Cedarwood oil
C. Chloroform
D. Clove oil
84. The best decalcifying
agent:
A. Nitric acid
B. Hydrochloric acid
C. Formic acid
D. Chromic acid
85. Characteristic of an ideal dehydrating
agent
A. Should be able to remove stain
B. Can harden tissue immediately
C. It is not volatile and carcinogenic
D. Must be able to dehydrate quickly the
tissue without producing considerable
shrinkage or distortion
86. Autopsy materials should be preserved as
soon after death as possible. If this cannot be
done, the body should be place in
refrigerator kept at
A. 1oC
o
B. 4 C
C. 6oC
o
D. 8 C
87. An employee who accidently spills acid on
his arm should immediately:

A. Neutralize the acid with a base

B. Hold the arm under running water for 15
minutes
C. Consult the Material Safety Data Sheets
D. Wrap the arm in gauze and go to the
emergency room
88. A brittle or hard tissue in a
paraffin block is due to prolonged

A. Fixation and clearing

B. Fixation, clearing and dehydration
C. Fixation and dehydration
D. Dehydration and clearing
89. The commercially available
formaldehyde solution contains gas
by weight as
A. 10%
B. 40-55%
C. 0-4%
D. 37-40%
90. The first thing to do when a
fire is discovered is to:
A. Rescue persons in danger
B. Activate the alarm system
C. Close doors to other areas
D. Extinguish the fire if possible
91. To ensure the penetration of
decalcifying solutions, it should be
changed
A. Daily
B. Twice a week
C. Weekly
D. Every 12 hours
92. The dehydrating alcohol that is
not used in tissue processing
because of its toxic effect
A. Ethanol
B. Methanol
C. Butanol
D. Isopropanol
93. Both acts as a fixative and decalcifying agent
1 Nitric acid 2 Formic acid
3 Chromic acid

A. 1 and 2
B. 1 and 3
C. 2 and 3
D. All of these
94. A specimen in the laboratory is
labeled as S-05-143 The number 143
represents the

A. I love you
B. Patients room number
C. Year collected
D. Specimen number
95. Which of the following should
be selected when it is desirable to
preserve erythrocytes in the tissue?
A. B-5
B. Zenkers
C. Carnoys
D. Bouins
96. The initial concentration of
dehydrating agent for embryos:
A. 10%
B. 30%
C. 55%
D. 70%
97. Ammonium form of polystyrene
used for decalcification
A. Ion Exchange Resins
B. Electrophoresis
C. Chelating agents
D. Electrical Ionization
98.Decalcifying agent to tissue ratio:

A. 1:10
B. 1:20
C. 10:1
D. 20:1
99. Both acts a dehydrating
agent and clearing agent
A. Alcohol
B. Cellosolve
C. Triethyl phosphate
D. Tetrahydrofuran
100. The most rapid clearing
agent
A. Chloroform
B. Toluene
C. Benzene
D. Xylene