Free DOH Histopathology Technologist mock test

Histopathology Technologist sample questions with answers

10 more original exam-style Histopathology Technologist questions, worked in full. They are not real or recalled exam questions, and none of them is in the mock above or on the bank page, so sit the mock first if you have not.

1. Question 1 · Immunohistochemistry and Molecular Techniques

   Why is a hydrogen peroxide block applied before the primary antibody in an HRP-based IHC method?

   1. ATo retrieve the antigen from formalin cross-links before applying the primary antibody
   2. BTo quench endogenous peroxidase activity and reduce false background staining
   3. CTo fix the tissue on the slide so that it does not wash off in later steps
   4. DTo dilute the primary antibody so that background staining is reduced
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: B. To quench endogenous peroxidase activity and reduce false background staining

   Red cells and some tissues contain peroxidase that would react with the substrate and cause false staining. Peroxide block quenches it. It does not retrieve antigen or fix tissue.

   Reference: Agilent Dako, Education Guide: Immunohistochemical Staining Methods, 6th ed. (2013)

2. Question 2 · Laboratory Safety and Professional Practice

   Under the UAE health data law (Federal Law No. 2 of 2019 on ICT in health fields), how should a technologist treat patient-identifiable information on slides, blocks and requisitions?

   1. AAs laboratory property that can be shared freely for teaching with names
   2. BAs confidential patient health information released only to authorized parties
   3. CAs non-confidential once the report has been issued
   4. DAs information to give to any caller who asks by telephone
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: B. As confidential patient health information released only to authorized parties

   Patient health information, including identifiers on slides, blocks and requisitions, is confidential and may be disclosed only to authorized parties. Free sharing for teaching with names, treating it as non-confidential after the report, or giving it out by telephone is not permitted.

   Reference: Federal Law No. 2 of 2019 on the Use of Information and Communications Technology in Health Fields (UAE)

3. Question 3 · Microtomy and Frozen Sections

   In a cryostat used for fresh tissue from a patient with suspected tuberculosis, which action is most appropriate?

   1. AUse appropriate PPE, treat the unit as high risk and decontaminate it using the facility protocol afterward
   2. BTreat as routine and wipe with water only
   3. CCut the specimen at room temperature outside the cryostat
   4. DSkip PPE because freezing kills the organism
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: A. Use appropriate PPE, treat the unit as high risk and decontaminate it using the facility protocol afterward

   Freezing does not kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and aerosols from fresh tissue are hazardous. PPE and cryostat decontamination are required. Water wipes or skipping PPE are unsafe.

   Reference: Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, M29: Protection of Laboratory Workers From Occupationally Acquired Infections, 4th ed. (2014)

4. Question 4 · Microtomy and Frozen Sections

   Vertical lines of thickness variation (chatter) appear in sections. Which is the most likely cause?

   1. AA water bath that is set too cold for the wax in use, which stiffens the ribbon
   2. BExcess hematoxylin in the stain, which makes some areas look darker than others
   3. CUse of a coverslip of the wrong thickness, which alters focus but not cutting
   4. DA loose blade or block clamp, or a block that is too hard or dry
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: D. A loose blade or block clamp, or a block that is too hard or dry

   Chatter comes from vibration due to loose clamps, an incorrect blade angle or hard dry tissue. Water bath, staining and coverslip problems arise after cutting.

   Reference: Suvarna SK, Layton C, Bancroft JD, Bancroft's Theory and Practice of Histological Techniques, 8th ed. (2019)

5. Question 5 · Specimen Reception, Fixation and Grossing Support

   Why should tissue cassettes be labelled with solvent-resistant pencil or printed labels instead of ordinary pen?

   1. AInk dissolves in processing alcohols and xylene, so the label is lost
   2. BPen ink forms a film that stops formalin entering the cassette
   3. CPen ink melts the paraffin wax during embedding in the mould
   4. DPen ink stains the tissue and alters its colour in the section
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: A. Ink dissolves in processing alcohols and xylene, so the label is lost

   Ordinary pen ink dissolves in processing alcohols and xylene, so identification can be lost and the specimen misidentified. Pencil and printed labels resist solvents. Ink does not stain tissue, block fixative penetration or melt wax.

   Reference: College of American Pathologists, Laboratory Accreditation Checklist: Anatomic Pathology (2023)

6. Question 6 · Tissue Processing and Embedding

   A block feels soft and mushy in the centre, and sections tear on cutting. What is the most likely cause and action?

   1. AOver-hardening, so the tissue is soaked in water
   2. BA blunt blade, so the blade is replaced
   3. CIncomplete dehydration or infiltration, so the block is reprocessed
   4. DCold wax, so the block is warmed on a hot plate
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: C. Incomplete dehydration or infiltration, so the block is reprocessed

   A soft centre signals that dehydration, clearing or wax infiltration was incomplete, and the block must be reprocessed. A blunt blade causes scoring, and over-hardened tissue is brittle rather than mushy, while warming the block does not remedy residual solvent or water.

   Reference: Suvarna SK, Layton C, Bancroft JD, Bancroft's Theory and Practice of Histological Techniques, 8th edition (2019)

7. Question 7 · Microtomy and Frozen Sections

   Before changing a microtome blade, which safety step is correct?

   1. ARemove the blade with bare fingers, taking care
   2. BLock the handwheel and cover the blade with the guard
   3. CBrush the blade edge with the hand to clear debris
   4. DLeave the handwheel unlocked so the block can be advanced
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: B. Lock the handwheel and cover the blade with the guard

   Locking the handwheel and shielding the blade prevents accidental cuts. Bare-finger handling and hand brushing can cause lacerations, and an unlocked handwheel lets the block advance onto the blade.

   Reference: Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Laboratory Safety Guidance (2011)

8. Question 8 · Routine and Special Staining

   Which stain is commonly used to demonstrate Helicobacter pylori in a gastric biopsy?

   1. AGomori methenamine silver
   2. BModified Giemsa
   3. CMasson trichrome
   4. DCongo red
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: B. Modified Giemsa

   Modified Giemsa stains the curved bacteria blue against a pale background and is a routine method for H. pylori. GMS is used for fungi, trichrome for collagen, and Congo red for amyloid.

   Reference: Suvarna SK, Layton C, Bancroft JD, Bancroft's Theory and Practice of Histological Techniques, 8th edition (2019)

9. Question 9 · Immunohistochemistry and Molecular Techniques

   An IHC run shows diffuse background staining across all tissue, including the negative control. What is the most likely cause?

   1. AToo little primary antibody was applied to the section on the slide
   2. BThe counterstain was applied for too short a time
   3. CAntigen retrieval was skipped
   4. DPrimary antibody too concentrated, or insufficient protein block
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: D. Primary antibody too concentrated, or insufficient protein block

   Diffuse background in every section, including the negative control, suggests excess antibody concentration or inadequate blocking of non-specific binding. Too little antibody gives weak or absent staining, and skipping retrieval reduces signal rather than adding background.

   Reference: Suvarna SK, Layton C, Bancroft JD, Bancroft's Theory and Practice of Histological Techniques, 8th edition (2019)

10. Question 10 · Laboratory Safety and Professional Practice

    An outside clinic phones to ask for a patient's block and slides to be sent. What should the technologist do?

    1. ARefuse the request and keep the material in the archive
    2. BSend them at once by courier, as the clinic is a colleague
    3. CSend them to a relative of the patient who comes in to the laboratory
    4. DRelease only on an authorised request, and log the transfer
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: D. Release only on an authorised request, and log the transfer

    Blocks and slides are part of the patient's confidential record, so release needs an authorised request, for example from the pathologist or the patient, and the transfer is logged, consistent with UAE Federal Law No. 2 of 2019. Unchecked release breaches confidentiality, and a blanket refusal ignores legitimate clinical need.

    Reference: UAE Federal Law No. 2 of 2019 on the Use of Information and Communications Technology in Health Fields