Unit 5

Question 1

What can be done with a blood smear

Answer 1

Differential WBC count

RBC estimation and morphology

Platelet estimation and morphology

Identify blood parasites and organisms

Question 2

What are the two methods of preparing blood smears which is most common?

Answer 2

Wedge technique (most common)

Coverslip technique (exotics)

Question 3

Where do you evaluate a blood smear

Answer 3

The mono layer

Question 4

Why may a smear be too thin

Answer 4

Angle was <30 degrees, spread too quickly or anemic

Question 5

Why may a smear be too think

Answer 5

Angle was >45 degrees, too much blood was used or blood is hemoconcentrated

Question 6

What happens if you spread a smear too slowly

Answer 6

Segmented WBCs and monocytes will be concentrated at the feathered edge and there will be distortion of cells

Question 7

Why do you stain blood smears

Answer 7

Helps differentiate WBC types and detection of abnormalities

Question 8

What are the main issues with staining

Answer 8

Over staining
Over rinsing
Not letting it dry
Old, dirty stain
Water contamination of the fixative