RRB LA UT17 – Histopathology Practice Test 2: Special Stains & Cytology

About this Assessment

About This Practice Test:
This targeted 30-question bilingual (English and Hindi) online practice test evaluates core diagnostic knowledge in Histopathological Special Staining Techniques and Exfoliative Cytopathology. Designed strictly according to the RRB Paramedical Category (Laboratory Assistant Grade II, CEN 05/2026) CBT standards and standard MLT curriculum, this test covers carbohydrate oxidation, metallic pigment demonstrations, connective tissue trichromes, silver impregnation, gynecological cytology fixation, and Papanicolaou polychrome staining.

Syllabus Covered:
– Carbohydrate & Fungal Staining: Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) mechanism (1,2-glycol oxidation to aldehydes, Schiff leucofuchsin magenta complex), Diastase digestion control (PAS-D) for glycogen, and Alcian Blue (pH 2.5) for acidic mucins
– Mineral & Pigment Demonstrations:
* Perls’ Prussian Blue reaction (ferric iron unmasking via HCl, potassium ferrocyanide, Nuclear Fast Red counterstain)
* Von Kossa silver reduction for calcium deposits
– Connective Tissue & Fibril Impregnation:
* Masson’s Trichrome technique (Bouin post-mordanting, collagen blue/green differentiation from red muscle)
* Gordon and Sweet’s / Gomori’s reticulin silver impregnation (gold chloride toning, hypo clearing)
* Verhoeff-Van Gieson (VVG) for elastic fibers and Congo Red apple-green birefringence for amyloid
* Tissue Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) acid-fast bacilli staining
– Exfoliative Cytopathology & Pap Smear Techniques:
* Routine wet fixation in 95% ethyl alcohol (with other validated fixatives as alternatives) vs. air-drying artifacts and their effect on cytomorphology
* Polyethylene glycol spray fixatives (Carbowax removal protocols) and Saccomanno’s fluid for sputum
* Papanicolaou (Pap) polychrome staining sequence: Harris Hematoxylin nuclear staining, Scott’s tap water bluing, Orange G-6 (OG-6) for keratin, and Eosin Azure (EA-36/EA-50) Light Green SF cellular differentiation
* Cytomorphological diagnostic criteria: HPV-associated koilocytosis (interpreted with appropriate cytological context), elevated N:C ratios, nuclear hyperchromasia, irregular nuclear contours, and coarse chromatin in malignant cells

Applicable Examinations:
– RRB Paramedical Recruitment (Laboratory Assistant Grade II, CEN 05/2026)
– Central Recruitment Boards: DSSSB Lab Technician, ESIC MLT, AIIMS Laboratory Technician, CGHS
– State Paramedical and State Medical Faculty Technical Examinations

Test Instructions & Features:
– 30 Questions | Fully Bilingual (English + Hindi)
– Timed CBT Mode: 30 Minutes (1 Minute per Question)
– CBT Marking Scheme: +1.00 for Correct Answer, -0.33 for Incorrect Answer (1/3rd Negative Marking)
– Step-by-Step Technical Explanations for Every MCQ