BOC Processing 2026/2027 Exam Test With Complete Solution (31pages)

During microtomy, it is noted that many of the tissues are very hard and shrunken. Of the following, the most likely explanation for this problem is that the: A. Infiltrating paraffin is too hot B. Processing reagents need changing C. pH of the fixative was incorrect D. Clearing agent is contaminated with water - ANSWERInfiltrating paraffin is too hot Decalcification of small specimens can be achieved by fixation in: A. NBF B. Zenker C. Glutaraldehyde D. Zamboni - ANSWERZenker A major disadvantage of aliphatic clearing agents is that they: A. Are incompatible with some mounting media B. Have a very high penetration rate C. Harden tissue excessively D. Are highly toxic - ANSWERAre incompatible with some mounting media Which of the following is MOST likely to cause sensitization with prolonged use? A. Cedarwood oil B. Xylene C. Aliphatic hydrocarbons D. Limonene - ANSWERLimonene To speed up the lab's processing of all surgical tissues, the temperature of all fixation, dehydration, and clearing steps has been set at 45 C. This will most likely result in: A. Excellent sections of all tissue B. Very soft uterine scrapings C. Microchatter D. Sections that will not stain with eosin - ANSWERMicrochatter Limonene functions as a/an: A. Clearing agent only B. Dehydrating agent only C. Universal solvent D. Infiltrating medium - ANSWERClearing agent only One advantage of aliphatic hydrocarbons is that they: A. Have a high tolerance for water B. Are miscible with all mounting media C. Are low in toxicity and sensitization D. Are adaptable to various processing methods - ANSWERAre low in toxicity and sensitization A disadvantage of using heat at all stations of the tissue processor is that it will: A. Harden some tissues B. Lengthen processing time C. Shorten the processor lifespan D. Cause too much reagent evaporation - ANSWERHarden some tissues Dehydration refers to the removal of: A. Alcohol B. Paraffin C. Water D. Xylene - ANSWERWater Which decalcification method may cause heat damage to the specimen? A. Acid B. Chelation C. Electrolytic D. Ion exchange - ANSWERElectrolytic Which of the following clearing agents is NOT flammable? A. Benzene B. Chloroform C. Toluene D. Xylene - ANSWERChloroform Which of the following groups of reagents may be used for dehydration? A. Ethanol, limonene, and tetrahydrofuran B. Methanol, ethanol, and limonene C. Dioxane, methanol, and toluene D. Dioxane, methanol, and ethanol - ANSWERDioxane, methanol, and ethanol The decalcifying agent EDTA is NOT an excellent choice when bone specimens will: A. Be stained with immunohistochemical procedures B. Be allowed long exposure to the decal reagent C. Have enzymes demonstrated in the bone D. Require diagnosis within 48 hours - ANSWERRequire diagnosis within 48 hours A clearing agent must be miscible with: A. Dehydrants and infiltrating media B. Fixatives and dehydrants C. Fixatives and infiltrating media D. Universal solvents - ANSWERDehydrants and infiltrating media Which of the following is a chelating agent used for decalcification? A. EDTA acid B. Hydrochloric acid C. Trichloracetic acid D. Phenol - ANSWEREDTA acid After completion of decalcification, the specimen should be: A. Placed in acetone B. Rinsed with 70% alcohol C. Transferred to fixative D. Washed in water - ANSWERWashed in water Ethanol functions a/an: A. Dehydrating agent B. Clearing agent C. Universal solvent D. Infiltrating medium - ANSWERDehydrating agent