Smear Preparation (Worksheet #2 | P)

Question 1

What is the technique that every MT should master?

Answer 1

Smear prep

Question 2

What is the most appropriate sx for smear prep?

Answer 2

Peripheral blood

Question 3

What are the mats needed for smear prep?

Answer 3

1) Anticoagulated blood
2) Glass slides
3) Pasteur pipette

Question 4

What is two-slide or wedge method?

Answer 4

1) It is the simplest and

2) It is the most popular method of smear prep

Question 5

What is the principle of two-slide or wedge method?

Answer 5

It employs 1 slide for the smear and another slide that serves as the spreader

Question 6

What is the procedure of two-slide method?

Answer 6

1) Place a drop of blood on the far end of a clean glass slide
2) Position the spreader slide before the drop of blood at an angle of about 30 - 45 deg and allow the blood to spread evenly on the vertex
3) Move the spreader smooth and rapidly over the length of the slide at a constant angle. Be sure to keep the spreader firm to the slide
4) Air-dry

Question 7

What is vertex?

Answer 7

It is the end part of the slide where the blood should be spread evenly (for smear prep)

Question 8

What is the criteria for a good smear?

Answer 8

1) There should be an even distribution from the thick to thin area
2) The smear must cover 2/3 or 3/4 of the slide
3) It must have a smooth and even surface, free from ridges, waves, or holes
4) It must have a feathery edge