study questions wk 3

Question 1

three reasons for performing a blood smear

Answer 1

a. Perform the differential white blood cell (WBC) count
b. Estimate platelet numbers
c. Evaluate the morphologic features of WBCs, red blood cells (RBCs), and platelets

Question 2

five abnormalities that may be missed or not reported by automated blood analyzers

Answer 2

a. Nucleated RBCs
b. Toxic granulation
c. Platelet clumps
d. Target cells
e. Hemoparasites

Question 3

The systematic evaluation of the blood smear should start with scanning for

Answer 3

a. platelet clumps,
b. large abnormal cells,
c. microfilaria

Question 4

What is the minimum number of WBCs that must be counted during the differential? Would the number change if the WBC count were over 20,000?

Answer 4

100; YES we would need to count 200

Question 5

What is the formula for calculating the absolute value for each type of WBC?

Answer 5

Multiply the total WBC count by the percentage of each type

Question 6

Calculate the absolute values for the following: (WBC count=8,000/ul)
a. Neutrophils - 65%
b. Lymphocytes - 18%
c. Monocytes - 12%
d. Eosinophils - 4%
e. Basophils - 1%

Answer 6

a. AV Neutrophils = 5200/ul
b. AV Lymphs = 1440/ul
c. AV Monos = 960/ul
d. AV Eos = 320/ul
e. AV Basos = 80/ul

Question 7

Neutrophil

Answer 7

phagocytosis

Question 8

Lymphocyte

Answer 8

production of antibodies

Question 9

Monocyte

Answer 9

phagocytosis

Question 10

Eosinophil

Answer 10

modulation of immune system (also capable of phagocytosis)

Question 11

Basophil

Answer 11

mediation of immune system

Question 12

Describe what you would see if the cells exhibited the morphologic abnormality Pelger-Huet Anomaly

Answer 12

nuclear hyposegmentation (neutrophils with 2 or fewer lobes)

Question 13

What would indicate Nuclear Hyper segmentation in a neutrophil?

Answer 13

Aging neutrophils (prolonged storage)

Question 14

Toxic changes are common disease-induced cytoplasm changes in neutrophils. List the five types of toxic changes we might see

Answer 14

a. Cytoplasmic basophilia (very blue)
b. Döhle bodies
c. Azurophilic (dark blue) granulation
d. Gigantism/swelling
e. Foamy cytoplasm (many vacuoles)

Question 15

What three conditions are these (Toxic changes are common disease-induced cytoplasm changes) changes typically associated with?

Answer 15

a. Inflammation
b. Infection
c. Drug toxicity

Question 16

What is another name for a reactive lymphocyte?

Answer 16

immunocyte

Question 17

Describe what a reactive lymphocyte might look like

Answer 17

Increase in basophilic cytoplasm; more abundant cytoplasm; sometimes a large, convoluted nuclei

Question 18

What is caused by the rare inherited disease lysosomal storage disorder?

Answer 18

With this group of rare inherited diseases, a substance is abnormally stored within cells, usually as a result of an intracellular enzyme deficiency.

Question 19

What morphologic abnormality is found in neutrophils and monocytes of animals with hemolytic anemia? Describe what you might see.

Answer 19

Siderotic granules - very similar to Dohle bodies must differentiate with Prussian blue stain

Question 20

What are the two names for degenerative leukocytes that have ruptured?

Answer 20

Smudge or basket cells

Question 21

Karolysis

Answer 21

degenerative change to the nucleus by dissolution of the
nuclear membrane

Question 22

Pyknosis

Answer 22

condensing of the nucleus as the cell dies

Question 23

Karyorrhexis

Answer 23

fragmentation of the nucleus after cell death

Question 24

What types of stains are used to stain the blood film?

Answer 24

Romanowsky type

Question 25

What are the three steps in the Dif Quik staining method?

Answer 25

Fixative, Eosin, Methylene blue

Question 26

How long is the slide left in each of the three steps?

Answer 26

Fixative: 60 seconds, Eosin and Methylene blue: 30 sec each

Question 27

List the four areas you should evaluate when determining the quality of your blood smear

Answer 27

a. width
b. length
c. shape
d. monolayer

Question 28

problem: Prolonged stain contact

Answer 28

solution: Decrease staining time

Question 29

problem: Inadequate wash

Answer 29

solution: Wash longer

Question 30

problem: Specimen too thick

Answer 30

solution: Make thinner smears, smaller drop or different angle

Question 31

problem: Stain, diluent, buffer, or wash water too alkaline

Answer 31

solution: Check with pH paper and correct pH

Question 32

problem: Exposure to formalin vapors

Answer 32

solution: Store and ship cytologic preparations separate from formalin containers

Question 33

problem: Wet fixation in ethanol or formalin

Answer 33

solution: Air dry smears before fixation

Question 34

problem: Delayed fixation

Answer 34

solution: Fix smears sooner, if possible