American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Technologist in Cytogenetics certification (ASCP CG) Practice Test

What adjustment can help when viewing a dropped slide under a phase scope with sparse metaphase spreads?

1. Increase the drying time by using warm slides

2. Decrease the slide thickness

3. Use a higher magnification objective

4. Soak the slides in a fixative

The correct answer is: Increase the drying time by using warm slides

When viewing a dropped slide under a phase contrast microscope with sparse metaphase spreads, increasing the drying time by using warm slides can significantly enhance the visibility of the cells. The rationale behind this is that when slides are prepared for cytogenetic analysis, a proper drying technique is essential to promote optimal cell adherence and morphology. Warm slides can provide a controlled drying environment that reduces the chances of artifact formation and improves the appearance of the metaphases. Proper drying time allows the fixative to penetrate the cells correctly and preserves their structure for analysis. When slides are dried too quickly or inadequately, it can lead to poor cell morphology, making it challenging to locate and analyze metaphases effectively. Using warm slides can facilitate a more uniform drying process, thereby improving the quality of the spreads. This approach is particularly useful in phase contrast microscopy, where good contrast is necessary to distinguish fine details in cell morphology. Enhanced drying processes yield clearer images of the cells, helping to optimize observation of the metaphase spreads.