American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Histotechnician Certification Practice Exam

What equipment is used for performing a bleeding time test?

1. Sphygmomanometer, filter paper, sample, stopwatch

2. Vacutainer, centrifuge, sample, stopwatch

3. Microscope, slide, sample, timer

4. Capillary tube, pipette, sample, stopwatch

The correct answer is: Sphygmomanometer, filter paper, sample, stopwatch

The equipment used for performing a bleeding time test is accurately represented by the first choice, which includes a sphygmomanometer, filter paper, sample, and stopwatch. When conducting a bleeding time test, a sphygmomanometer is utilized to apply pressure to the arm, which temporarily occludes blood flow. After inflating the sphygmomanometer to a specified pressure, a small incision is made on the skin to initiate bleeding. The time taken for bleeding to stop is then measured. Filter paper is used to gently blot the blood from the incision at timed intervals without applying pressure, allowing for an accurate assessment of the bleeding time. The stopwatch tracks the duration from the incision to when bleeding stops, providing crucial data regarding platelet function and vascular integrity. Other options contain equipment not typically associated with the bleeding time test. For example, a vacutainer and centrifuge are used in blood collection and processing but do not apply to measuring bleeding time specifically. Similarly, a microscope and slide are utilized for histological examinations rather than for assessing bleeding times, and capillary tubes and pipettes are more related to sample collection rather than the actual test procedure itself.