All of the following can be determined from a blood film except: ...

[WWatsford]

All of the following can be determined from a blood film except:
 
  a. Red cell morphology
  b. White cell estimate
  c. Red cell estimate
  d. Platelet estimate

Question 2

A manual WBC count is performed using a system that makes a 1:20 dilution of blood. When the cells in the four large corner mm2 of the hemocytometer are counted, the following numbers of cells are obtained: 8, 12, 9, and 11. What would be the next step?
 
  a. Count the cells in all 9 mm2 of the hemocytometer.
  b. Redo the dilution of blood using a new 1:20 dilution.
  c. Redo the dilution of blood using a 1:100 dilution.
  d. Calculate the count using the values from the 4 mm2 and report the result.

[olivia_paige29]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
A red cell count estimate cannot be made from a blood film. White cell and platelet count estimates are routinely made, and red cell morphology is evaluated.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
This white count appears to be very low, in the neighborhood of 2.0  109/L (8 + 12 + 9 + 11)  20/0.4. To make the cell count more accurate, the number of cells counted must be increased. This can be done by counting the cells in all 9 mm2 of the hemocytometer.