Hematology

Question 1

Blood smear with holes in it.

Answer 1

Hyperlipidemia or oil on slide

Question 2

Blood smear too long or too short

Answer 2

Angle too small or drop of blood too large. >
Angle too large or drop of blood too small. <

Question 3

Troubleshooting stain: RBCs grey, WBCs too dark, & eosinophil granules grey

Answer 3

-Stain it buffer too alkaline (most common).
-Inadequate rinsing
-Prolonged staining
-Heparinized blood sample

Question 4

Troubleshooting stain: RBCs too pale or are red colour. WBCs barely visible

Answer 4

-Stain or buffer too acidic (most common)
-Under-buffering (too short)
-Over-rinsing

Question 5

Microcytosis (MCV < 80fL) &
Hypochromia (MCHC < 320 g/L)

Answer 5

Iron deficiency anemia, sideroblastic anemia, thalassemia minor, chronic disease (occasionally), lead poisoning, & hemoglobinopathies (some)
Thalassemias for hypo

Question 6

Macrocytosis (MCV > 100fL)

Answer 6

Liver disease, vitamin B12 deficiency, folate deficiency, & neonates

Question 7

Polychromasia (increased retics)

Answer 7

Acute and chronic hemorrhage, hemolysis, effective treatment for anemia, & neonates

Question 8

Acanthocytes (irregularly shaped projections).
Spur Cells

Answer 8

Abetalipoproteinemia, severe liver disease, splenectomy, malabsorption, hypothyroidism, vitamin E deficiency

Question 9

Burr cells (short, even projections)
Echinocytes

Answer 9

Uremia, pyruvate kinase deficiency, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, neonates (esp. premature), & artifact