BCSE - Basic and Clinical Sciences Examination Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 6-year-old Golden Retriever is presented with lethargy, polyuria, and polydipsia.
A complete blood count (CBC) and serum chemistry panel are performed.
The CBC is unremarkable.
The chemistry panel reveals a blood glucose of 450 mg/dL (normal: 75-120 mg/dL) and elevated liver enzymes.
A urinalysis shows 4+ glucosuria and 2+ ketonuria.
Which of the following is the most likely pathologic process responsible for these findings?

Accepted Answer

Immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic beta cells

Answer

Neoplastic proliferation of adrenal cortical cells

Answer

Renal tubular insensitivity to antidiuretic hormone

Answer

Glycogen storage disease in hepatocytes

Question 2

A biopsy from a skin mass on an 8-year-old Boxer is submitted for histopathology. The pathologist describes 'sheets of round cells with distinct cell borders, abundant eosinophilic granular cytoplasm, and central, round nuclei.' There is minimal pleomorphism and a low mitotic rate. Mast cell granules are not observed with routine H&E staining but would likely be prominent with which special stain?

Accepted Answer

Toluidine Blue

Answer

Prussian Blue

Answer

Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)

Answer

Masson's Trichrome

Question 3

Which of the following sets of clinical pathology findings is most consistent with a diagnosis of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)?

Accepted Answer

Thrombocytopenia, prolonged PT, prolonged aPTT, elevated FDPs

Answer

Increased platelet count, prolonged PT, prolonged aPTT, decreased FDPs

Answer

Thrombocytopenia, shortened PT, shortened aPTT, normal FDPs

Answer

Normal platelet count, normal PT, normal aPTT, elevated FDPs

Question 4

A dairy cow dies after a short period of ataxia, bellowing, and convulsions. At necropsy, the brain appears grossly normal. However, histopathology of the cerebral cortex reveals laminar cortical necrosis, characterized by a layer of dead, eosinophilic neurons. This finding is most pathognomonic for which condition?

Accepted Answer

Polioencephalomalacia

Answer

Listeriosis

Answer

Rabies

Answer

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy

Question 5

A laboratory is performing a crossmatch for a feline blood transfusion. The donor is blood type A and the recipient is blood type B. What is the most likely outcome if this transfusion proceeds without a crossmatch?

Accepted Answer

A severe, acute hemolytic transfusion reaction.

Answer

A mild, delayed hemolytic reaction due to low-titer isoantibodies.

Answer

No reaction, as type A is a universal donor in cats.

Answer

Graft-versus-host disease.

Question 6

A routine urinalysis is performed on a dog with a suspected urinary tract infection. The microscopic examination of the urine sediment reveals numerous rod-shaped bacteria, more than 10 white blood cells per high-power field, and many struvite crystals. Which of the following is a common consequence of this type of infection?

Accepted Answer

The urine pH will become more alkaline.

Answer

The urine pH will become more acidic.

Answer

The urine specific gravity will be fixed at 1.010.

Answer

The formation of calcium oxalate crystals will be promoted.