ABPath Hematopathology study plan

Contrast the indications, specimen requirements, and interpretive limits of marrow aspirate, core biopsy, touch preparation, flow cytometry, karyotype, FISH, and sequencing

Match each routinely ordered stain (Wright-Giemsa, Prussian blue, reticulin, trichrome, PAS, immunohistochemistry) to the cellular or stromal feature it is meant to demonstrate

Construct a normal marrow differential worksheet that includes expected myeloid-to-erythroid ratios and age-related cellularity benchmarks

Apply a fixed scanning sequence to marrow biopsies covering cellularity, lineage topography, stroma, and pattern of infiltration

Identify the artifacts and hemodilution clues that most often cause a misinterpretation of marrow adequacy

Map the maturational sequence of erythroid, granulocytic, monocytic, and megakaryocytic lineages with the morphologic milestone at each stage

Assign CD marker expression patterns to each maturational stage and to the blasts of acute leukemias

Differentiate hypoplastic marrow from myelophthisic replacement using cellularity, fat content, and peripheral blood findings

Explain the stromal and cytokine requirements of normal hematopoiesis and predict which lineages fail first when marrow is injured

Recognize the marrow patterns of granulomatous disease, storage disorders, and metastatic nonhematopoietic tumor

Classify lymphoid neoplasms into the current WHO categories using morphology, immunophenotype, and genetic data together

Distinguish reactive lymphoid proliferations from neoplastic ones using architectural, cytologic, and clonality criteria

Interpret a lymphoid flow cytometry panel by assigning aberrancy from surface and cytoplasmic marker combinations

Predict the translocation or mutation expected for each major B-cell and T-cell neoplasm and state its diagnostic or prognostic role

Separate the small B-cell lymphomas from one another using a stepwise decision pathway

Differentiate a leukemoid reaction, chronic myeloid leukemia, and other neutrophilias using the leukocyte alkaline phosphatase score, basophilia, and genetics

Interpret qualitative neutrophil abnormalities and relate them to functional defects in adhesion, oxidative killing, and granule release

Build a diagnostic approach to eosinophilia, monocytosis, and lymphocytosis that starts from the absolute count

Recognize the peripheral blood and marrow findings of inherited and acquired neutrophil disorders, including storage diseases and immunodeficiency syndromes

Rehearse mixed lymphoid and myeloid case stems under timed conditions

Sort anemias into production, maturation, and destruction categories using reticulocyte count, indices, and smear morphology

Select and sequence the confirmatory tests for suspected hemolysis, including direct antiglobulin testing, haptoglobin, and hemoglobin electrophoresis

Correlate red cell shapes (schistocytes, spherocytes, bite cells, teardrop cells) with the specific disorder each implies

Assess platelet number and size on smear and link giant or small platelets to inherited thrombocytopenias

Distinguish true thrombocytopenia from pseudothrombocytopenia and from plateleipenia caused by consumption, sequestration, or underproduction

Interpret platelet function testing and von Willebrand studies in the context of mucocutaneous bleeding

Construct a mixing-study algorithm for a prolonged PT or PTT that separates factor deficiency from an inhibitor

Explain the laboratory strategy for detecting lupus anticoagulant and for evaluating inherited and acquired thrombophilia

Assign coagulation factor assays and inhibitor titers to the clinical scenarios that justify them

Differentiate immune thrombocytopenia, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, hemolytic uremic syndrome, and disseminated intravascular coagulation on laboratory grounds

Monitor unfractionated and low-molecular-weight heparin and direct oral anticoagulants using the appropriate assay for each

Evaluate suspected heparin-induced thrombocytopenia using the pretest probability score, platelet factor 4 testing, and confirmatory activation assays

Formulate written responses to common hematology consultation questions about unexplained cytopenias, abnormal coagulation panels, and smear abnormalities

Apply test-utilization principles by declining low-yield orders and justifying each test requested

Integrate transfusion indications and blood product selection into periprocedural and bleeding-patient decisions

Re-audit every error logged in weeks 1 through 7 and rewrite each as a discriminative rule

Assemble a consolidated one-page summary sheet of high-yield morphologic and laboratory discriminators across all domains

Complete a cumulative timed examination and stratify the misses by domain

Convert each weak domain into three targeted review questions answered without references

Rehearse time management by completing one block at examination pace