Type of test Blood

 Normal findings

 Normal quantity of red and white blood cells (RBCs, WBCs) and platelets

 Normal size, shape, and color of RBCs

 Normal WBC differential count

Normal size and granulation of platelets

 Test explanation and related physiology

 Examination of the peripheral blood smear can provide a significant amount of information concerning drugs and diseases that affect erythrocytes (RBCs), leukocytes (WBCs), or platelets. Furthermore, other congenital and acquired diseases can be diagnosed. When special stains are applied to the blood smear, leukemia, infection, infestation, and other diseases can be identified.

When adequately prepared and examined microscopically by an experienced technologist or pathologist, a smear of peripheral blood can be very diagnostic. All three hematologic cell lines— RBCs, platelets, and WBCs—can be examined. In the peripheral blood, five different types of WBCs can routinely be identified: neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes. The first three are also referred to as granulocytes. Please see the discussion in bone marrow biopsy for more information concerning the various elements of blood.

Microscopic examination of the RBCs can reveal variations in RBC size (anisocytosis), shape (poikilocytosis), color, or intracellular content (Box 1). Classification of RBCs according to these variables is most helpful in identifying the causes of anemia and the presence of other diseases.

Box1. Microscopic examination of red blood cells

The WBCs are examined for total quantity, differential count, and degree of maturity. An increased number of immature WBCs may indicate leukemia or infection. A decreased WBC count indicates a failure of marrow to produce WBCs (because of drugs, chronic disease, neoplasia, or fibrosis), peripheral destruction, or sequestration.

Platelet examination

Finally, an experienced laboratory technologist also can estimate platelet number. Platelets are small cell fragments that do not contain a nucleus. The contents of the granules in a platelet are released to promote clotting.

Procedure and patient care

Before

* Explain the procedure to the patient.

* Tell the patient that no fasting is required.

During

• Collect a drop of blood from a finger stick or heel stick and place it on a slide.

• If necessary, perform a venipuncture and collect the blood in a lavender-top tube.

• Note that a blood smear is first studied with an automated cytometer programmed to recognize abnormal blood cell shapes and other variations. An evaluation smear is performed by a technologist. Low counts may be hand counted to ensure accuracy. The most accurate smear requires review by a pathologist.

After

 • Apply pressure to the venipuncture site.

Abnormal findings

 See Box 1 in the Test explanation and related physiology section.

اخر الاخبار

اخبار العتبة العباسية المقدسة

قسم شؤون المعارف يطلق دورة (صفات الشيعة) لعدد من ملاكات العتبة العباسية المقدسة

الهيأة العليا لإحياء التراث تبحث تعزيز التعاون المشترك مع مركز الإمام الباقر (عليه السلام) في إيران

جامعة الكفيل تكرِّم طلبتها المتميزين من ذوي الاحتياجات الخاصة

فريق طبي في مستشفى الكفيل يجري عملية ناجحة لطفل يعاني من تشوّه ولاديّ بالنخاع الشوكي

المزيد

الآخبار الصحية

خصوصا مع تقدم السن.. 6 سلوكيات يومية قد تدمّر صحتك

فاكهة خضراء.. علاج طبيعي فعّال للإمساك واضطرابات الهضم

روسيا تبدأ أولى التجارب السريرية للقاح واعد ضد السرطان

كنز غذائي على طبقك.. ماذا تفعل السبانخ بجسمك؟

المزيد

الآخبار التكنلوجية

رصد نوع نادر من القطط في تايلاند للمرة الأولى منذ عقود

روسيا تخطط لإقامة محطة نووية في القمر خلال العقد المقبل

كيف قاد إيلون ماسك حملة "غروك" لاختراق عرش الذكاء الاصطناعي

ألتمان: الذكاء الاصطناعي سيتجاوز البشر في 2026 !

المزيد

مواضيع ذات صلة

marijuana (THC) test (Cannabinoid or cannabis testing, Tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] testing)

lung cancer molecular testing (AKT1, ALK, BRAF, Epidermal growth factor [EGFR], HER2, KRAS, MEK1, MET, NRAS, PIK3CA, RET, and ROS1)

kidney stone analysis (Urinary stone analysis, Renal calculus analysis)

Variability and Standardization of CSF Examination

Lab Diagnosis of Yellow fever

hexosaminidase (Hexosaminidase A, Hex A, Total hexosaminidase, Hexosaminidase A and B)

hemoglobin electrophoresis (Hgb electrophoresis)

growth hormone stimulation test (GH provocation test, Insulin tolerance test [ITT], Arginine test, Glucagon Stimulation test)

Markers of Bone Resorption: Amino and Carboxy-Terminal Telopeptides of Collagen Type I

Markers of Bone Resorption: Collagen Cross-Links

Bone Formation Markers : Osteocalcin

Diagnosis of Prion Disease