ASCP SH study guide
ASCP SH · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
SH - Specialist in Hematology - is one of the credentials listed by the ASCP Board of Certification (BOC), appearing on the BOC site as 'SH – Specialist in Hematology' within the Hematology area of interest. The BOC also lists a separate H (Scientist in Hematology) credential, so candidates should confirm which examination matches their education and experience before applying; the site's Eligibility Pathways pages and Eligibility Assistant exist for exactly that purpose. The ASCP SH study guide has 5 sections and about 1,308 words.
01Normal Hematopoiesis and Erythrocyte Physiology
Hematopoiesis begins with self-renewing hematopoietic stem cells in marrow niches, progressing through multipotent and lineage-committed progenitors. Erythroid commitment runs from the common myeloid progenitor to the megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitor, then BFU-E, CFU-E, proerythroblast, and the normoblast series (basophilic, polychromatophilic, orthochromic) before enucleation yields the reticulocyte.
291 words, about 1 min02Erythrocyte Disorders and Anemias
Anemias are approached by MCV and reticulocyte response. Microcytic hypochromic causes include iron deficiency (low ferritin, high TIBC, low saturation, high RDW), thalassemia (normal or high ferritin, often normal RDW, target cells, basophilic stippling), anemia of chronic disease (low TIBC, normal or high ferritin, low saturation), and sideroblastic anemia (ring sideroblasts, lead, alcohol, B6 deficiency).
269 words, about 1 min03Benign and Malignant Leukocyte Disorders
Benign leukocyte changes are common and must be distinguished from neoplasia. Neutrophilia with left shift, toxic granulation, and Döhle bodies suggests infection or stress; leukemoid reactions can mimic leukemia but have a high leukocyte alkaline phosphatase (LAP) score.
269 words, about 1 min04Hemostasis and Coagulation
Primary hemostasis involves platelet adhesion via GPIb–vWF, activation, and aggregation via GPIIb/IIIa–fibrinogen. Secondary hemostasis is the coagulation cascade: intrinsic (XII, XI, IX, VIII), extrinsic (VII plus tissue factor), and common (X, V, II, I), all phospholipid- and calcium-dependent.
236 words, about 1 min05Hematology Laboratory Operations, Quality, and Instrumentation
Quality in hematology spans preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical phases. Preanalytical errors include wrong anticoagulant, underfilling citrate tubes, EDTA-induced platelet clumping, hemolysis, lipemia, and delayed processing.
243 words, about 1 min