Which corrective action is most appropriate for tissue-related recentering?

• A. Reembedding the tissue
• B. Retracting the block holder shaft
• C. Moving to an unused blade section
• D. Allowing drain

Answer: (A)

Tissue-related recentering happens when the specimen isn’t centered in the paraffin block, so the tissue tends to appear off-center or near an edge as you cut sections. The best fix is to reembed the tissue. By removing the old block and placing the tissue into a fresh mold with proper orientation, you reposition it so the tissue sits in the center of the new block. Once the paraffin hardens, subsequent sections will consistently contain tissue and be easier to section without wasting material.

Other actions don’t address the problem this time. Retracting the block holder shaft is a mechanical adjustment to the microtome and won’t correct tissue position within the block. Moving to an unused blade section changes the blade but not the tissue’s placement in the block. Allowing drain isn’t related to centering the tissue in the paraffin block.