Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology · Pathology

Which of the following is the standard fixative used for 'wet-fixed' smears intended for Papanicolaou staining?

  1. 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin
  2. Glutaraldehyde
  3. 95% Ethanol
  4. Absolute Chloroform
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: 95% Ethanol

Wet fixation in 95% Ethanol is essential for Papanicolaou staining. Immediate immersion prevents air-drying artifacts and preserves the crisp nuclear detail required for malignancy diagnosis.

Difficulty: Medium Question 4 of 20

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