Laboratory Activity 8: PREPARATION OF DRY BLOOD SMEAR

Question 1

An essential component of the initial evaluation of all patients with hematologic disorders is the examination of a

Answer 1

peripheral blood smear

Question 2

is a thin layer of blood smeared on a glass slide and then stained in such a way as to allow the various blood cells to be examined microscopically.

Answer 2

blood film or peripheral blood smear

Question 3

Blood films that are well prepared and properly stained have a great value in hematology, especially in viewing (?) for diagnosing anemias and leukemias; in WBC differential counts and in estimating the number of platelets.

Answer 3

blood cell morphology

Question 4

is an important adjunct to other clinical data, though in some cases, the peripheral smear alone is sufficient to establish a diagnosis.

Answer 4

Review of the blood smear

Question 5

1. Place a drop of blood approximately (?) in diameter at about 1 cm from one end of a clean, grease-free slide.

Answer 5

2 - 3 mm

Question 6

2. Hold the end of the slide that is without the drop of blood with the (?).

Answer 6

non-writing hand

Question 7

3. Position a smooth spreader slide at about (?) angle to the first slide and bring it backward to the
   drop of blood.

Answer 7

30O - 45O

Question 8

4. Allow the blood drop to spread along the (?) of the spreader slide.

Answer 8

back edge

Question 9

5. Immediately push the spreader slide forward with a (?), maintaining the same angle and exerting very little pressure. The blood will be pulled behind the spreader slide.

Answer 9

smooth and rapid stroke

Question 10

6. Air dry blood rapidly but thoroughly by (?). Label the smear with lead pencil on the thick portion.

Answer 10

waving

Question 11

Position the spreader in front of the

Answer 11

blood drop

Question 12

(?) until it touches the drop of blood

Answer 12

Draw the spreader back

Question 13

Allow the blood to run along the

Answer 13

edge of the spreader

Question 14

Push the spreader to the end with a

Answer 14

smooth and rapid stroke

Question 15

1. Fix the air-dried blood smear in Solution I

Answer 15

(methanol) for 1 minute.

Question 16

2. Dip slide 3 􏰂 5 times for 1 second each dip into in solution I (?). Allow excess stain to drain.

Answer 16

Eosin Y

Question 17

3. Dip slide 3 􏰂 5 times for 1 second each dip into in solution II (?). Allow excess stain to drain.

Answer 17

Methylene blue

Question 18

4. Rinse slide by (?) in water (distilled water recommended)
5. Air dry.

Answer 18

dipping or swishing

Question 19

Note: Tone and depth of color may be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the (?) if too light or too dark (too red or too blue) in the respective stains/solutions.

Answer 19

number of dips