ASCP PA case studies
ASCP PA · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The PA credential - Pathologists' Assistant - is one of the certifications offered by the ASCP Board of Certification (ASCP BOC), the body that administers laboratory credential examinations in the United States. It appears in the BOC's credential catalog as "PA - Pathologists' Assistant" and has its own area-of-interest page alongside disciplines such as histology, cytology, and laboratory safety. The ASCP PA case studies are 5 cases and about 3,694 words.
1Frozen Section Margin on a Re-Excision
A 58-year-old woman undergoes re-excision of a 2.1 cm invasive ductal carcinoma in the upper outer quadrant. The original lumpectomy specimen had a 1 mm anterior margin; all other margins were greater than 5 mm.
781 words, about 4 min2Autopsy Consent and Unexpected Finding in a Hospital Death
A 71-year-old man with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis dies 6 hours after an uneventful dialysis session. The clinical team attributes death to a cardiac arrhythmia.
823 words, about 4 min3Discrepant Frozen and Permanent Diagnosis in a Lung Nodule
A 64-year-old smoker has a 2.4 cm spiculated right upper lobe nodule. During wedge resection, frozen section is called: the pathologist reports "benign lung with organizing pneumonia and marked fibroblastic proliferation; no definite malignancy." The surgeon proceeds with lobectomy based on strong clinical and radiographic suspicion.
703 words, about 4 min4Formalin Exposure and Spill in the Grossing Room
A grossing technician knocks over a 4 L container of 10% neutral buffered formalin on the bench. About 1.5 L spills across the bench and floor.
696 words, about 3 min5Turnaround Time and Staffing on a High-Volume Bench
A hospital pathology laboratory processes 140 surgical cases per day with 3 histology technicians, 1 grossing technician, and 2 pathologists. The laboratory's stated turnaround time (TAT) goal is 90% of routine cases reported within 48 hours of receipt.
691 words, about 3 min