Practise Specialist in Microbiology – SM(ASCP) with a short sample and answer explanations. These are independent learning materials, not official exam questions or a pass prediction.
Exam outline and official sources
American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) · ASCP BOC joint M/SM Examination Content Guideline, revised September 25, 2025; separate effective date not stated. Alignment uses the SM weights and specialist content. The assigned Specialist in Microbiology (SM) label matches the official credential; canonical slug retained.
This original 20-question sample covers selected topics across the outline. It does not reproduce official exam questions or cover every tested topic.
- ASCP BOC M/SM Examination Content Guideline
- CDC: Collect Adult Blood Culture Sets
- CDC DPDx: Microsporidiosis
- CDC DPDx: Stool Specimens—Staining Procedures
- CDC: Laboratory Testing for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
- FDA: Cleocin HCl Prescribing Information
- CDC: Prevention of Perinatal Group B Streptococcal Disease, 2010
- CDC: Clinical Testing and Diagnosis for C. diff Infection
- CDC: Laboratory Testing for Legionella
- CDC: Gonococcal Infections Among Adolescents and Adults
- CDC: Laboratory Testing for Diphtheria
- CDC: Information for Clinicians—E. coli Infection
- CDC: Technical Information—E. coli Infection
- CDC: Clinical and Laboratory Diagnosis for Tuberculosis
- ATS/ERS/ESCMID/IDSA: Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease Guideline
- CDC: Clinical Testing and Diagnosis for Hepatitis B
- DailyMed: Acyclovir Prescribing Information
- NIH: Herpes Simplex Virus—Adult and Adolescent Opportunistic Infections
- CDC DPDx: Babesiosis
- CDC DPDx: Strongyloidiasis
- CDC: Identification of C. auris
- CDC: Testing Algorithm for Histoplasmosis
- FDA: Micafungin in Sodium Chloride Injection Prescribing Information
- FDA: Statistical Guidance on Reporting Results from Studies Evaluating Diagnostic Tests
- CMS: CLIA Proficiency Testing and PT Referral, October 2024
- CMS State Operations Manual, Appendix C
- SHEA/IDSA: Implementing an Antibiotic Stewardship Program
Specialist in Microbiology – SM(ASCP)
Start with 20 free questions, then review the explanations and any topics you missed.
An audit finds that adult blood culture bottles consistently contain only 2–3 mL, although the validated collection protocol calls for approximately 10 mL per bottle. Collection sites are disinfected appropriately. Which change most directly improves bloodstream pathogen recovery?
Specialist in Microbiology – SM(ASCP)
Flashcards
Preanalytic Procedures
Specimen collection—blood culture contamination prevention
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