Full blood count

Question 1

State what assays are commonly included in a

full blood count?

Answer 1

• RBC: HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW
• WBC: L, M, B, E,N
• Platelet

Question 2

how are Hb results & RBC reported (units)?

Answer 2

• Hb: g/L

- RBC: _ x10^12 /L

Question 3

how are hematocrit (HCT) results calculated, reported [and interpreted*]?

Answer 3

HCT (or PCV) = MCV x RCC

= _ L/L

Question 4

What is hematocrit (HCT)

Answer 4

aka packed cell volume.

RBC proportion in whole blood

Question 5

how are Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) results calculated, reported [and interpreted*]?

Answer 5

…

Question 6

What is red cell distribution width (RDW)?

Answer 6

range of sizes of RBC: smallest to largest

Question 7

Convert HCT in % to L/L (non-SI unit to SI unit)

Answer 7

_% /100 = _ L/L

Question 8

Convert Hb in g/dL to g/L (non-SI unit to SI unit)

Answer 8

_ g/dL x10 = _ g/L

Question 9

Convert WBC in 10^3 /uL to 10^9 /L (non-SI unit to SI unit)

Answer 9

10^3 /uL = 10^9 /L

Question 10

Convert Plt in 10^3 /uL to 10^9 /L (non-SI unit to SI unit)

Answer 10

10^3 /uL = 10^9 /L

Question 11

List artefactual changes as a result to determination over time

Answer 11

• RBC swell = bigger = inc. MCV = unreliable
• platelets aggregate = Plt stick tog. = dec. [Plt] = unreliable
• WBC breakdown = dec. WBC = unreliable

Question 12

What significance of microcytic hypochromic anaemia? What further tests?

Answer 12

• microcytic: small cell
• Hypochromic: less Hb
  => iron studies

Question 13

What significance of macrocytic normochromic anaemia? What further tests?

Answer 13

• macrocytic: big cell
• normochromic: normal Hb
  => Vit. B12/folate assays