ASCP PA flashcards
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32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Frozen section primary use
- Provides rapid intraoperative diagnosis of malignancy, margin status, lymph node metastasis, or tissue identity. It is not intended for definitive grading or lesions needing permanent-section architecture.
- Positive surgical margin
- A margin is positive when invasive tumor touches the inked resection surface. Close margins are reported with measured distance in millimeters and are distinct from truly positive margins.
- HER2 scoring categories
- HER2 is scored 0, 1+, 2+, or 3+ by immunohistochemistry. Scores of 2+ are equivocal and require reflex in situ hybridization to determine gene amplification status.
- Minimum lymph nodes, colon cancer
- Colorectal carcinoma resection requires at least 12 lymph nodes for adequate nodal staging. Fewer nodes may understage the patient and prompt additional sampling or comment.
- Gleason score definition
- The Gleason score is the sum of the two most prevalent glandular patterns (primary plus secondary). Grade Groups range from 1 (Gleason 6) to 5 (Gleason 9-10).
- Complete vs limited autopsy
- A complete autopsy examines all body cavities and organs. A limited autopsy is restricted to specified organs or regions according to the consent obtained from the legal next of kin.
- Cause versus manner of death
- Cause of death is the disease or injury that produced death. Manner of death is classified as natural, accident, homicide, suicide, or undetermined and is determined by the medical examiner.
- Rigor mortis timing
- Rigor mortis begins in small muscles and progresses to larger ones, then resolves over roughly 24 to 48 hours. It assists in estimating the postmortem interval.
- Livor mortis definition
- Livor mortis is the dependent pooling of blood after death, producing purplish discoloration in low-lying areas. It begins within hours and becomes fixed after a period.
- Formalin pigment formation
- Acid formalin reacting with blood produces brown-black formalin pigment (acid hematin). Using neutral buffered formalin at proper pH prevents this artifact in tissue sections.
- Frozen section ice artifact
- Inadequate freezing or slow freezing creates ice crystals that distort nuclei and cytoplasm. Rapid freezing with optimal cutting temperature compound minimizes this artifact.
- Touch preparation cytology
- A touch preparation is made by pressing a glass slide onto fresh tissue to sample cells. It complements frozen sections by preserving cellular detail without freezing artifact.
- Tumor deposit definition
- A tumor deposit is a discrete focus of tumor in the pericolic or perirectal fat separate from the main tumor, often with venous or lymphatic invasion, reported distinctly from nodal status.
- 10:1 formalin ratio rule
- Fixation requires at least ten parts 10% neutral buffered formalin per one part tissue by volume. Insufficient volume causes poor fixation, autolysis, and unreliable immunohistochemistry.
- Neutral buffered formalin pH
- 10% neutral buffered formalin contains about 4% formaldehyde buffered to pH 7.0 to 7.4. Neutral pH prevents formalin pigment and preserves antigenicity for immunohistochemistry.
- Standard precautions
- Standard precautions treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious regardless of diagnosis. They include gloves, gowns, eye protection, and safe sharps handling.
- Sharps disposal requirement
- Used needles and blades must be placed directly into puncture-resistant, closable sharps containers. Recapping by hand is prohibited because it causes needlestick injuries.
- Quality control definition
- Quality control is the testing of reagents, controls, and equipment within a run to verify acceptable performance. It is a component of the broader quality assurance program.
- Quality assurance definition
- Quality assurance is the overall system ensuring accurate, timely results, including proficiency testing, audits, competency assessment, and corrective actions. It encompasses but exceeds quality control.
- Proficiency testing purpose
- Proficiency testing evaluates a laboratory's performance against peer laboratories using unknown samples. Unsuccessful results require investigation and documented corrective action under accreditation rules.
- Turnaround time definition
- Turnaround time is the interval from specimen receipt or order entry to result reporting. Common causes of delay include accessioning backlog, fixation time, and decalcification.
- Two patient identifiers
- Specimens must be labeled with two patient identifiers at the point of collection. Unlabeled or mislabeled specimens are rejected per policy to prevent wrong-patient errors.
- BSL-2 laboratory level
- Biosafety level 2 applies to clinical diagnostic work with human specimens and moderate-risk agents. It requires biological safety cabinets for aerosol-generating procedures and restricted access.
- BSL-3 laboratory level
- Biosafety level 3 is required for agents such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture and certain respiratory pathogens. It includes controlled access, directional airflow, and respiratory protection.
- Six Sigma defect rate
- Six Sigma targets approximately 3.4 defects per million opportunities. A defect is any result that falls outside specification or customer requirement.
- Root cause analysis purpose
- Root cause analysis is a structured method used after sentinel events or major errors to identify underlying system failures and prevent recurrence, rather than assigning individual blame.
- Hazard Communication standard
- OSHA's Hazard Communication standard requires safety data sheets and labeling for hazardous chemicals such as formaldehyde and xylene, plus employee training on safe handling.
- Formaldehyde exposure hazard
- Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen with established occupational exposure limits. Handling requires adequate ventilation, fume hoods, and appropriate personal protective equipment.
- Decalcification effect on tissue
- Decalcification uses acid or chelating agents to soften bone for sectioning. Prolonged acid decalcification degrades nucleic acids and antigens, impairing immunohistochemistry and molecular testing.
- Competency assessment requirement
- Laboratory personnel must undergo documented competency assessment at defined intervals, including direct observation, review of results, and evaluation of problem-solving skills.
- Specimen rejection criteria
- Specimens may be rejected for absent or discrepant labels, improper fixative, or unacceptable delay. Rejection policies protect patient safety and must be documented.
- Corrective action definition
- Corrective action is the documented response to a detected nonconformity, addressing the underlying cause and verifying effectiveness. It is distinct from immediate correction of the error.