CBC

Question 1

What is the normal range of WBC for term infants?

Answer 1

10,000 – 26,000

Values < 5,000 or > 25,000 may indicate infection.

Question 2

What is the Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) formula?

Answer 2

(% mature + % immature cells) X WBC = Absolute neutrophil count

Example: (42% segs + 8% bands) x WBC 10,000 = ANC of 5,000.

Question 3

What percentage of neutrophils in a WBC count indicates a left shift?

Answer 3

An increase in immature cells indicates more cells to the left are counted

This is called a ‘left shift.’

Question 4

What are neutrophils?

Answer 4

Phagocytic cells with a segmented nucleus

Mature neutrophils are called polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs, polys, segs).

Question 5

What are Eosinophils commonly associated with?

Answer 5

Allergic responses or parasites

Question 6

What do Basophils secrete?

Answer 6

Anti-coagulant and vasodilatory substances such as histamines and serotonin

Question 7

What is Thrombocytopenia?

Answer 7

< 120,000 mm³

Treatment depends on platelet count, etiology, and infant’s condition.

Question 8

What is the primary role of C-Reactive Protein (CRP)?

Answer 8

To bind to phosphocholine on microbes and enhance phagocytosis by macrophages

CRP levels rise during inflammatory processes.

Question 9

What does a high Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) indicate?

Answer 9

An inflammatory process

High fibrinogen levels cause red blood cells to form stacks called ‘rouleaux.’

Question 10

What are the normal values for Hemoglobin in preterm infants?

Answer 10

14-16 gm/dl

Question 11

What does the Reticulocyte Count measure?

Answer 11

Immature red blood cells (erythrocytes)

Indicates red cell production.

Question 12

What is the normal range for Hematocrit in term infants?

Answer 12

50% - 60%

Question 13

What is the role of cytokines in the immune response?

Answer 13

Endogenous mediators of the immune response to inflammation

Question 14

What is the significance of a high immature to total (I:T) ratio?

Answer 14

Indicates depletion of the neutrophil storage pool

Question 15

What are the normal values for Platelets?

Answer 15

150 – 400 mm³

Question 16

What is the clinical presentation of anemia?

Answer 16

• Pallor
• Shallow, rapid, irregular respirations
• Tachycardia
• Weak, absent pulses
• Hypotension

Question 17

What can cause elevated plasma fibrinogen levels?

Answer 17

Infection

Question 18

What is the significance of Nucleated RBCs (NRBCs) in infants?

Answer 18

Increased in cases of hemolysis, anemia, hypoxemia, and infection

Question 19

What do you measure to assess red blood cell count?

Answer 19

Millions per cubic millimeter

Question 20

What is the normal range for the Reticulocyte Count in term infants by day 3?

Answer 20

1% - 3%

Question 21

True or False: Hemolysis is easy to differentiate between normal losses in neonates.

Answer 21

False

Question 22

What is the normal range for Lymphocytes in WBC?

Answer 22

2,500 – 13,000

Question 23

What does a high level of CRP indicate?

Answer 23

Inflammation, infection, trauma, tissue necrosis, malignancies, and autoimmune disorders

Question 24

What are the components of the Complete Blood Count (CBC)?

Answer 24

• Red blood cell count
• Hemoglobin
• Hematocrit
• Platelets
• Reticulocytes
• White blood cell count
• White blood cell differential

Question 25

What is the effect of fluid balance on blood volume?

Answer 25

It affects blood volume and concentration, influencing lab results