ASCP Medical Laboratory Science Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards reviewing high-yield clinical laboratory concepts across Hematology, Immunohematology, Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology, Urinalysis, and Serology.

Southern blot

A molecular biology hybridization technique used to detect specific sequences of DNA.

Northern blot

A molecular biology hybridization technique used to detect specific sequences of RNA.

Western blot

An analytical molecular technique used to detect and identify specific proteins.

AST and ALT

Serum transaminases (Aspartate Aminotransferase and Alanine Aminotransferase) that serve as primary laboratory markers for hepatocellular damage.

ALP and GGT

Enzyme markers (Alkaline Phosphatase and Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase) that primarily indicate hepatobiliary damage or biliary obstruction.

Sodium Flouride

The additive in gray-top evacuated collection tubes that functions as an antiglycolytic agent.

Potassium oxalate

The additive in gray-top collection tubes that functions as an anticoagulant by precipitating calcium.

Adsol

Red blood cell additive solution designated as AS-1.

Nutricel

Red blood cell additive solution designated as AS-3.

Optisol

Red blood cell additive solution designated as AS-5.

SOLX

Red blood cell additive solution designated as AS-7.

Bromcresol green

The most commonly used dye for albumin dye-binding quantification assays.

Bromcresol purple

The dye used in albumin dye-binding assays that is considered the most sensitive and specific.

Rotavirus specimen of choice

Stool.

Adenovirus specimen of choice

Nasopharyngeal swab.

Blondheim's test

A differential test using ammonium sulfate where myoglobin yields negative precipitation and a red supernatant, while hemoglobin yields positive precipitation and a clear supernatant.

LAP score in CML vs. Leukemoid Reaction

Leukocyte Alkaline Phosphatase (LAP) score is low in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) and high in a leukemoid reaction.

Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida)

The bacterial pathogen most commonly associated with infections caused by cat bites.

Bartonella henselae (B. henselae)

The bacterial agent responsible for cat-scratch disease.

Eikenella corrodens (E. corrodens)

The fastidious Gram-negative organism characteristically associated with infections following human bite wounds.

Culling

The splenic process responsible for the phagocytosis and removal of senescent or damaged red blood cells.

Pitting

The splenic process in which cytoplasmic inclusions, such as Heinz bodies, are selectively removed from red blood cells without destroying the intact erythrocyte.

Cystitis (Cytitis)

A lower urinary tract infection characterized by the absence of white blood cell casts in urine.

Pyelonephritis

An upper urinary tract infection characterized by the presence of white blood cell casts in urine.

Hair baiting test

A mycological test in which Trichophyton mentagrophytes produces a positive result with wedge-shaped perforations/injuries, whereas Trichophyton rubrum produces a negative result.

Hairy cell

A leukemic mononuclear cell of B-cell lineage characteristic of Hairy Cell Leukemia.

Sézary cell (Sezary cell)

An atypical mononuclear leukocyte of T-cell origin with cerebriform nuclei, seen in Sézary syndrome.

Heparin contamination in coagulation

A pre-analytical error that affects (prolongs) the Thrombin Time but does NOT affect the Reptilase Time.

Renal tubular acidosis (RTA)

A clinical disorder characterized by systemic metabolic acidosis (acidic blood pH) paired with an inability to properly acidify urine (alkaline urine pH).

Reactive lymphocytosis

The hematologic finding characterized by atypical/reactive lymphocytes, commonly associated with Infectious Mononucleosis.

Reactive monocytosis

An increase in peripheral blood monocytes characteristically associated with chronic bacterial infections such as Tuberculosis and Syphilis.

JAK2 V617F

The somatic point mutation strongly associated with Polycythemia vera (PCV).

BCR/ABL1

The fusion oncogene formed by $t(9;22)$ (Philadelphia chromosome) that defines Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML).

PDGFRA

A gene encoding platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha, associated with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs).

RUNX1

A transcription factor gene mutation associated with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

Veillonella

An anaerobic Gram-negative diplococcus associated with infections of the oral cavity following jaw injury or surgery.

Peptostreptococcus

An anaerobic Gram-positive coccus associated with oral and deep tissue infections following jaw injury or surgery.

MHC Class I

Major histocompatibility complex presenting endogenous antigens to CD8+ cytotoxic T cells.

MHC Class II

Major histocompatibility complex presenting exogenous antigens to CD4+ helper T cells.

Naegleria spp.

Free-living ameba responsible for rapidly fatal Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM).

Acanthamoeba spp.

Free-living ameba that causes chronic Granulomatous Amebic Encephalitis (GAE) and amebic keratitis.

RBC casts

Microscopic urinary sediment structures diagnostic of glomerular bleeding and glomerulonephritis.

Renal Tubular Epithelial (RTE) cells/casts

Microscopic elements found in urine sediment indicating acute tubular necrosis.

Granular casts

Urine casts containing degenerated cellular debris, typically seen following strenuous physical exercise.

Glanzmann's thrombasthenia

A platelet aggregation defect characterized by normal aggregation with ristocetin, but abnormal aggregation with other agonists (epinephrine, collagen, ADP) and afibrinogenemia.

Bernard-Soulier syndrome

A platelet adhesion disorder caused by GPIb deficiency, characterized by abnormal agglutination with ristocetin and normal aggregation with epinephrine, collagen, and ADP (ECA).

von Willebrand disease

A congenital bleeding disorder characterized by defective platelet adhesion showing abnormal ristocetin-induced aggregation and normal ECA aggregation.

Prozone

A false-negative serologic agglutination or precipitation reaction resulting from antibody excess; resolved by diluting the patient serum.

Postzone

A false-negative serologic reaction caused by antigen excess; resolved by repeating the test in approximately 2 weeks.

RIST

Radioimmunosorbent Test; a serologic assay that measures total serum IgE concentration.

RAST

Radioallergosorbent Test; an in vitro assay used to detect and measure direct, allergen-specific IgE.

Pseudohyponatremia

An artifactual reduction in measured serum sodium with normal serum osmolality and normal electrolytes; resolved by measuring sodium via direct Ion-Selective Electrode (ISE).

T-test

A statistical test used to evaluate significant differences between two means, assessing analytical accuracy.

F-test

A statistical test comparing two variances to evaluate analytical precision.

Ulex europaeus

A plant lectin source that exhibits Anti-H specificity.

Dolichos biflorus (Dolichus Biflorus)

A plant lectin source that exhibits Anti-$A_1$ specificity.

Bandeiraea (Griffonia) simplicifolia

A plant lectin source that exhibits Anti-B specificity.

Universal blood component donors

Blood Type O for packed red blood cells (pRBCs) and Type AB for fresh frozen plasma (FFP).

Universal blood component recipients

Blood Type AB for packed red blood cells (pRBCs) and Type O for fresh frozen plasma (FFP).

Warfarin monitoring

Monitored clinically using Prothrombin Time (PT).

Heparin monitoring

Monitored clinically using Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT).

Diabetes Insipidus (DI)

Disorder caused by hyposecretion of ADH resulting in water loss, marked by high urine output, high blood osmolality, high serum sodium, low urine specific gravity, and low urine osmolality.

SIADH

Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone; characterized by ADH hypersecretion and water retention leading to low urine output, low blood osmolality, low serum sodium, high urine specific gravity, and high urine osmolality.

Anti-P1 neutralizing substances

Soluble substances that inhibit Anti-P1: hydatid cyst fluid, pigeon droppings, and turtle dove egg white.

Anti-Lewis neutralizing substances

Substances that neutralize Lewis blood group antibodies: saliva and plasma/serum.

Anti-Chido and Anti-Rodgers neutralizing substance

Normal human serum containing complement.

Anti-Sda (Anti-Sd^a) neutralizing substance

Urine containing the soluble $Sd^a$ substance.

Anti-I neutralizing substance

Human breast milk.

Oligoclonal bands in CSF (+), Serum (-)

Electrophoretic finding indicating intrathecal synthesis of immunoglobulins; characteristic of Multiple Sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, Neurosyphilis, Encephalitis, and neoplastic disorders.

False susceptible Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion

An error producing an abnormally wide zone of inhibition (ZOI), caused by media that is too thin, an inoculum that is too light ($< 0.5$ McFarland Standard), or media that is too dry.

False resistant Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion

An error producing an abnormally narrow zone of inhibition (ZOI), caused by media that is too thick, an inoculum that is too heavy ($> 0.5$ McFarland Standard), or excess moisture on the agar plate.