CSF CELL COUNTING

Question 1

Why do we need to perform CSF cell count immediately?

Answer 1

because WBCS and RBCs will begin to lyse within 1 hour

Question 2

40% to 50% WBC disintegrates

Answer 2

within 2 hours

Question 3

If the specimen is refrigerated, ____ can be reduced significantly to approximately ____, but ____

Answer 3

WBC lysis
15%
not completely prevented

Question 4

____ do not demonstrate significant
lysis at ____; therefore, the CSF collection tube for cell counts should be ____ if the count must be delayed for any reason

Answer 4

RBCs
4°C
refrigerated

Question 5

Undiluted specimen appearance

Answer 5

Clear

Question 6

1:10 diluted specimen appearance

Answer 6

Slightly hazy

Question 7

1:20 diluted specimen appearance

Answer 7

Hazy

Question 8

1:100 diluted specimen appearance

Answer 8

Slightly cloudy

Question 9

bloody 1:200 diluted specimen appearance

Answer 9

Cloudy/slightly

Question 10

1:10,000 diluted specimen appearance

Answer 10

Bloody/turbid

Question 11

is WBC count routinely performed on CSF?

Answer 11

YES

Question 12

WBC diluting fluid

Answer 12

3% glacial acetic acid (HAc) with Methylene Blue

Question 13

WBC count normal values
Adults:
Neonates:

Answer 13

Adults = 0-5 WBCs/ ul
Neonates = 0-30 WBCs/ul

Question 14

WBC differential count is performed on a ______

Answer 14

stained smear (using Wright’s stain)

Question 15

Specimen must be concentrated, prior to preparation of smear which can be achieved through ____ (most preferred and widely used), centrifugation, filtration, or sedimentation

Answer 15

cytocentrifugation

Question 16

For centrifugation, the specimen is centrifuged for ____, supernatant fluid is ____ and ____ for additional tests, and slides made from the suspended sediment are allowed to ____ and are stained with Wright’s stain.

Answer 16

5-10 minutes
removed and saved
air dry

Question 17

When the differential count is performed, ______ should be counted, classified, and reported in terms of _____

Answer 17

100 cells; percentage

Question 18

When a differential cell count is performed using a cytospin slide or concentrated smear, the entire slide should be scanned first using ______

Answer 18

low-power objective (10×)

Question 19

When the differential count is performed, ____ should be counted, classified, and reported in terms of ____

Answer 19

100 cells
percentage

Question 20

T/F
If the cell count is low and finding 100 cells is not possible, report only the numbers of the cell types seen

Answer 20

TRUE

Question 21

Normal WBC in CSF:
Adult: 70% lymphocytes, 30% monocytes
Neonate: Up to 80% monocytes

Answer 21

Adult: 70% lymphocytes, 30% monocytes
Neonate: Up to 80% monocytes

Question 22

T/F. WBC and RBC count is routinely done

Answer 22

FALSE.
Only WBC count is routinely done. RBC is not.

Question 23

RBC count can be calculated by

Answer 23

subtracting WBC count from Total Cell count

Question 24

Done only in case of traumatic tap to correct Total Protein and WBC count

Answer 24

RBC count

Question 25

term for the increase in number
of normal cells in CSF

Answer 25

Pleocytosis

Question 26

Subtract 1 WBC for every _____ RBC’s seen

Answer 26

700

Question 27

Subtract ____ Total protein for every 10,000 RBCs/ul seen

Answer 27

8 mg/dl

Question 28

Subtract 1 mg /dl of TP for every ___ RBCs/ul seen

Answer 28

1,200