Quick Review Cards for Medical Laboratory Science

Manual Hematology Procedures Hematology Review 327

TEST PURPOSE METHOD COMMENTS

Manual WBC
count, CSF

Microhematocrit
(packed cell
volume, PCV)

Reticulocyte count

Erythrocyte
sedimentation
rate (ESR)

Differential Dx

of meningitis

Screening for

anemia

Assess rate of

erythropoiesis

Screen for

inflammation

CSF loaded into Neubauer hemacytome-

ter. WBCs counted in all 9 squares of

each side under 10¥.

Microhematocrit tubes centrifuged at

10,000-15,000 rpm for 5 min. % of total

volume occupied by RBCs determined.

Blood smear stained with new

methylene blue. 1,000 RBCs counted.

% containing reticulum determined.

Whole blood added to Westergren tube

& placed in vertical rack. Height of RBC

column read after 1 hr.

Acetic acid can be used to lyse RBCs, if

necessary. Disposable 1-piece hemacytome-

ters available. Most labs perform counts on

hematology analyzers today. Manual counts

are no longer performed on blood.

Values may be slightly higher than calcu-

lated values from automated analyzers.

Miller ocular can be used to facilitate count-

ing. Adult reference range = 0.5%–1.5%.

↑with ↑erythropoiesis, e.g., blood loss,

hemolytic anemia, following treatment of

pernicious or iron deficiency anemia. Most

retic counts are performed on automated

analyzers today.

Nonspecific. CRP preferred. Reference

ranges: males 0–15 mm/hr; females

0–20. ↑with inflammation. Automated

methods available with results in <60 min.

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