VTNE Clinical Laboratory Procedures 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The term 'regenerative anemia' in veterinary hematology means the bone marrow is responding by releasing:
- Mature neutrophils in excess
- Immature red blood cells (reticulocytes) (Correct answer)
- Platelets at an accelerated rate
- Eosinophils into circulation
Correct answer: Immature red blood cells (reticulocytes)
In regenerative anemia, the bone marrow releases reticulocytes (immature RBCs) into circulation as a compensatory response to RBC loss or destruction.
Question 2: Which coagulation test evaluates the extrinsic pathway of the clotting cascade?
- Activated clotting time (ACT)
- Prothrombin time (PT) (Correct answer)
- Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
- Bleeding time
Correct answer: Prothrombin time (PT)
PT evaluates Factor VII and the common pathway (Factors X, V, II, I), reflecting the extrinsic coagulation cascade.
Question 3: A veterinary technician performs a Knott's test on a dog's blood sample. This test is used to identify:
- Intestinal parasite eggs
- Microfilariae of Dirofilaria immitis (Correct answer)
- Ectoparasites such as Demodex
- Fungal elements in blood
Correct answer: Microfilariae of Dirofilaria immitis
The Knott's test concentrates and lyses red blood cells to allow microscopic identification of microfilariae in canine blood.
Question 4: Which urinalysis finding is MOST consistent with a urinary tract infection (UTI)?
- Hyposthenuria with no cells
- Pyuria, bacteriuria, and hematuria (Correct answer)
- Glucosuria with ketonuria
- Presence of granular casts only
Correct answer: Pyuria, bacteriuria, and hematuria
Pyuria (WBCs in urine), bacteriuria, and hematuria together strongly indicate an active bacterial urinary tract infection.
Question 5: When preparing a bone marrow aspirate for cytologic evaluation, which stain is routinely used?
- Gram stain
- Wright-Giemsa stain (Correct answer)
- Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)
- Sudan black B
Correct answer: Wright-Giemsa stain
Wright-Giemsa stain is the standard stain for bone marrow cytology, allowing differentiation of erythroid, myeloid, and lymphoid cell lines.
Question 6: A serum biochemistry panel shows markedly elevated ALT and AST with mildly elevated ALP in a dog. This pattern is MOST consistent with:
- Primary cholestasis
- Hepatocellular damage or necrosis (Correct answer)
- Renal failure
- Pancreatic disease
Correct answer: Hepatocellular damage or necrosis
ALT and AST are hepatocellular enzymes released when liver cells are damaged or necrotic, whereas ALP elevation is more pronounced with cholestasis.
Question 7: Which of the following is the BEST method to confirm a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus in a cat showing glucosuria?
- Single fasting blood glucose measurement
- Fructosamine level reflecting 2–3 week average glucose (Correct answer)
- Urine glucose dipstick only
- Total protein measurement
Correct answer: Fructosamine level reflecting 2–3 week average glucose
Fructosamine reflects average blood glucose over the prior 2–3 weeks and is not affected by stress hyperglycemia, making it ideal for confirming diabetes in cats.
VTNE Clinical Laboratory Procedures 5
The term 'regenerative anemia' in veterinary hematology means the bone marrow is responding by releasing: