Peripheral Blood Smear & Bleeding Time Flashcards
examined to investigate hematological problems (disorders of the blood) and, occasionally, to look for parasites within the blood such as malaria and filaria.
Blood smear
Blood smears are needed for microscopic examination of the blood. True or False
True
The most common blood smear is the peripheral smear used for a complete
blood cell count (CBC) differential. True or False
True
Blood smears are also made for such tests as malarial smears and special hematology procedures. True or False
True
A good smear has a feathered edge that is nearly square and a rainbow sheen when reflecting light. True or False
True
The perfect slide consists of a smear that is exactly one cell thick in the feathered edge. True or False
True
A smear will be too thin if the spreader slide is moved slowly or if the angle of the spreader is less than 30 degrees. True or False
False - A smear will be too thin if the spreader slide is moved too quickly or if the angle of the spreader is less than 30 degrees.
The smear will be too thick if the spreader is moved slowly or if the angle is greater than 30 degrees. True or False
True
Large blood drops may extend the smear over too much of the base slide. True or False
True
A small drop can be insufficient for the smear. True or False
True
Select two glass slides that are clean and free of chipped edges. Gloves should be worn for the remaining steps of the procedure. True or False
True
Place a drop of blood 1 to 2 mL in diameter on one of the slides. The drop should be in the centerline approximately 1⁄8 inch from the frosted edge of the slide. True or False
False - 1/4 inch
Hold the slide with the drop of blood at the opposite end with the thumb and forefinger of your non-dominant hand. Grasp the spreader slide similarly with your dominant hand. True or False
True
Rest the end of the spreader slide at a 30- to 45-degree angle just in front of the drop. True or False
True
Draw the spreader slide backward until it just touches the drop of blood. The blood should spread to the edges of the slide. The blood must spread evenly along the interface of the two slides. Not spreading the blood evenly will cause a pointed feathered edge. True or False
True
Keep the spreader slide at the 45- degree angle. Push the spreader slide rapidly across the stationary slide with an even stroke and pressure. True or False
True
The slower the spreader moved, the longer and thinner the film will be. True or False
False - The faster the spreader moved, the longer and thinner the film will be.
The slower the slide moved, the shorter and thicker the slide will be. True or False
True
Angle lesser than 45 degrees makes the smear thicker. True or False
False - greater than 45
Angle less than 45 degrees makes the smear thinner. True or False
True
To facilitate air drying, fan the slide back and forth by holding it between the thumb and forefinger. Do not blow on the slide. True or False
True
The smear should cover approximately 3⁄4 of the length of the slide. The feathered edge should be relatively straight. It should have a rainbow appearance when reflecting light. True or False
True
Write the patient information on the slide using a pencil or special marking pen. The patient information is written on the slide at the thick end of the smear. If a frosted end-slide is used, the information is written on the frosted area. True or False
True
For Malaria diagnosis, it is preferred to make the smear from capillary blood because the cells with the malarial organisms concentrate in the capillaries. True or False
True
The second thick blood film is often made when detecting malaria crisis. It consists of large drop of blood about the size of a dime placed in the center of the slide and allowed to dry. True or False
True
A measure of the functional integrity of the small blood vessels and the ability of platelets to form hemostatic plugs to stop bleeding.
Bleeding Time
Anything that alters platelet function can interfere with the bleeding time. True or False
True
The risk of misdiagnosis due to the poor sensitivity and specificity of bleeding time is an often- unaccounted complication. True or False
True
the measure of the functional integrity of the small blood vessels and the ability of platelets to form hemostatic plugs to stop bleeding.
Bleeding Time
The bleeding time is prolonged in disease that affects the ability of vessels to constrict and retract and in disease in which there is a decrease in platelet number (thrombocytopenia). True or False
True
Diseases that decrease platelet function, such as thrombasthenia and thrombocytopathy, also increase bleeding time. True or False
True
Aspirin, aspirin-containing drugs, certain anticoagulants, antibiotics, and antihistamines may cause prolonged bleeding time in normal patients. True or False
True
Bleeding time is affected the most when the platelet count falls below 100,000 per cubic millimeter. True or False
True
Normal bleeding time
2-8 minutes
Place the patient’s arm on steady support with the volar surface exposed. Avoid surface scars, bruises, surface veins, and edematous areas. True or False
True
Inflate the cuff, and maintain pressure at 40 mmHg. The time between inflation of the cuff and incision should be no more than 30 seconds. True or False
True
Observe the patient’s forearm for superficial veins and determine a location away from any superficial vein. The incision is best performed parallel to the antecubital crease. True or False
True
Wick the blood every 30 seconds from then on until blood no longer stains the paper. Stop the timer. Bleeding time is determined to the nearest 30 seconds. True or False
True
If the patient continues to bleed after 15 minutes, stop the test and apply pressure to the wound. The patient’s nurse or physician should be notified of any bleeding that lasts longer than 15 minutes. True or False
True
Involves a stab incision in the patient’s cleaned finger or earlobe with a lancet.
CHOICES:
Duke method, Ivy method, Ivy method surgicutt
Duke method
Developed later to standardize the technique and make the procedure more sensitive.
CHOICES:
Duke method, Ivy method, Ivy method surgicutt
Ivy method
The prick is about 3-4 mm deep. The blood is wiped every 30 seconds with a filter paper.
CHOICES:
Duke method, Ivy method, Ivy method surgicutt
Duke method
A sterile, standardized, easy-to-use, disposable device that makes a uniform, surgical incision, 5 mm long by 1 mm deep.
CHOICES:
Duke method, Ivy method, Ivy method surgicutt
Ivy method surgicutt
free of visible veins are punctured to a depth of 2 to 3 mm by means of a lancet.
CHOICES:
Duke method, Ivy method, Ivy method surgicutt
Ivy method
A prolonged bleeding time may be due to constriction and retraction of vessels, thrombocytopenia, decrease in platelet function, aspirin-containing drugs, anticoagulants, and antihistamines. True or False
True
