Overuse of decalcifying acids can cause which nuclear change?

• A. Nuclear basophilia
• B. Nuclear hyperchromasia
• C. Nuclear shifting
• D. Nuclear fragmentation

Answer: (A)

Overuse of decalcifying acids can create artifacts that alter how nuclei stain. When strong acids excessively decalcify tissue, they can modify the chromatin and surrounding matrix in a way that makes nuclear material take up hematoxylin more readily, resulting in nuclei that appear more blue or basophilic. This staining change is a recognized artifact of over-decalcification, hence nuclear basophilia is the correct choice.

Hyperchromasia would suggest an intrinsic increase in DNA content typical of malignancy rather than a processing artifact. Nuclear fragmentation points to severe damage or necrosis and is not the usual consequence of decalcification artifacts. Nuclear shifting is not a standard descriptor for this artifact in histology.