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

Which specimen type should not be used for cytogenetic analysis due to its storage conditions?

1. Heparinized peripheral blood

2. Frozen bone marrow

3. Heparinized peripheral blood stored at room temperature

4. Unprocessed tissues

The correct answer is: Frozen bone marrow

The correct answer is based on the understanding of how different specimen types are handled for cytogenetic analysis. Frozen bone marrow should not be used for this purpose because the freezing process can lead to cell lysis and the alteration of chromosomal structure, making it unsuitable for cytogenetic evaluation. In cytogenetics, the integrity of the cells and chromosomes is crucial for accurate analysis. When tissues like bone marrow are frozen, the inherent cellular architecture and viability are compromised. This can result in the loss of crucial information during the analysis process, such as chromosome number and structure, which is vital for diagnosing genetic disorders. Other specimen types, such as heparinized peripheral blood and unprocessed tissues, can be used for cytogenetic studies when properly handled and processed. Heparinized blood is often preferred because it maintains cell viability and allows for proper culture conditions. Unprocessed tissues, assuming they are handled correctly and not exposed to damaging conditions, can also yield suitable results for cytogenetic analysis, as long as they are processed promptly and not frozen.