This topic contains a solution. Click here to go to the answer

Author Question: A patient sample comes off an automated cell counter with a failure of the red cell rule of three. ... (Read 122 times)

Kthamas

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 546
A patient sample comes off an automated cell counter with a failure of the red cell rule of three. The red count is lower than expected given the hemoglobin.
 
  The MCV, MCH, and MCHC are elevated. Which of the following is the most likely reason for this failure?
 
  a. Megaloblastic anemia
  b. Lyse-resistant red cells
  c. Cold agglutinin
  d. Lipemia

Question 2

Which of the following occurs if testing is not performed with 24 hours from specimen collection?
 
  a. White blood count rises
  b. WBCs deteriorate and RBCs swell
  c. Hemoglobin rises
  d. MCV decreases



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
Marked as best answer by a Subject Expert

dlook33

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 344
Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
The red count is lower than expected for the data; this suggests a cold agglutinin is present. The red cells are thus clumped at room temperature, and the clumps are being counted as one large cell. This lowers the red count and raises the MCV and MCHC. The only red cell parameter that is probably valid is the hemoglobin measurement.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Sample age can have a profound effect on blood cell analysis. Specific problems with older samples include WBC fragility and loss, swelling (which increases the MCV) and possible lysis of RBCs, and the deterioration of platelets.





 

Did you know?

Long-term mental and physical effects from substance abuse include: paranoia, psychosis, immune deficiencies, and organ damage.

Did you know?

Fewer than 10% of babies are born on their exact due dates, 50% are born within 1 week of the due date, and 90% are born within 2 weeks of the date.

Did you know?

The word drug comes from the Dutch word droog (meaning "dry"). For centuries, most drugs came from dried plants, hence the name.

Did you know?

Chronic necrotizing aspergillosis has a slowly progressive process that, unlike invasive aspergillosis, does not spread to other organ systems or the blood vessels. It most often affects middle-aged and elderly individuals, spreading to surrounding tissue in the lungs. The disease often does not respond to conventionally successful treatments, and requires individualized therapies in order to keep it from becoming life-threatening.

Did you know?

In 2010, opiate painkllers, such as morphine, OxyContin®, and Vicodin®, were tied to almost 60% of drug overdose deaths.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library