Lab 1 Flashcards
(28 cards)
What does PCV stand for?
Packed Cell Volume
PCV is also known as hematocrit.
What is the normal PCV value range for adult males?
40-44%
PCV values can vary based on sex and individual health.
What is the normal PCV value range for adult females?
38-42%
These values indicate the percentage of blood volume occupied by red cells.
What is the purpose of measuring PCV?
To determine the volume occupied by red cells in whole blood expressed as a percentage.
What method is commonly used to measure PCV?
Centrifugation of a blood sample in a capillary tube.
What is found on top of the packed red cells in a PCV measurement?
The buffy coat
The buffy coat contains a collection of leukocytes.
What is the first step in the PCV measurement procedure?
Fill a heparinized capillary tube with fresh EDTA whole blood.
How long should the capillary tube be centrifuged?
4 minutes.
What safety precaution should be taken regarding blood contact?
DO NOT ALLOW THE BLOOD TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH YOUR SKIN.
What should be done with pipette tips and test tubes after use?
Dispose immediately into the sterilising fluid or container provided.
True or False: Blood can be a source of bacterial or viral infections.
True.
What should be done with spilled blood?
Mop up immediately using a tissue moistened with sterilising solution.
Fill in the blank: The PCV can be used to calculate an individual’s total blood _______.
volume.
What is the primary purpose of centrifugation in blood analysis?
To separate different kinds of blood cells according to their size and density.
Centrifugation exploits differences in physical characteristics such as density to achieve separation.
Which components of blood are separated using centrifugation?
- Red blood cells (RBCs)
- White blood cells (WBCs)
- Platelets
- Plasma
Each of these components has distinct physical properties contributing to their separation.
How does centrifugal force affect blood components during centrifugation?
Heavy components, like red blood cells, are forced to the bottom, while lighter components, such as plasma, remain on top.
This separation occurs as denser cells settle more quickly than lighter ones due to gravity.
Why do denser cells settle more quickly during centrifugation?
Due to gravity, denser cells experience a greater force, causing them to settle faster than lighter cells.
The differential settling is a result of their varying densities.
What role does the size of blood cells play in centrifugation?
Larger cells may be subjected to different forces during centrifugation than smaller cells, aiding in their separation.
This size difference contributes to the effectiveness of the separation process.
True or False: Centrifugation separates blood cells based solely on their size.
False
Centrifugation separates blood cells based on both size and density.
What staining technique is mentioned for distinguishing various white cell types?
Wright-Giemsa staining
This technique is commonly used in hematology to differentiate between different types of white blood cells.
What is Wright-Giemsa staining?
A widely used hematological technique that highlights the distinct shapes and characteristics of different types of white blood cells (WBCs)
What two stains are combined in Wright-Giemsa staining?
- Methylene blue
- Eosin
What does eosin stain in Wright-Giemsa staining?
The cytoplasm and other cell components in pink or orange hues
What does methylene blue target in Wright-Giemsa staining?
Nucleic acids, giving the cell nuclei a blue hue
