RBC Counting

Question 1

Normal RBC range M&F

Answer 1

• M: 4 - 5.5 million /μl
• F: 3.0 - 5.3 million /μl

Question 2

Hayem Solution facts

Answer 2

• Hypertonic solution: Shrinks RBCs to inhibit cohesion/aggregation
• NaCl, Na2SO4, HgCl2

Question 3

Blood collection steps

Answer 3

1) Patient wash hands (warm water)
2) Disinfect with alcohol on cotton swab
3) Open needle (twist & pull)
4) Discard in yellow bin
5) After prick, wipe off first drop (due to interstitial fluid & debris)
6) Pipette 10μl of fresh blood
7) Apply new paper on wounded fingertip

Question 4

Steps for lab prep

Answer 4

1) Lab Coat, Gloves
2) Pour Hayem into beaker, pipette from there
3) 990μl Hayem solution using BLUE pipette into eppendorf tube
4) Prick finger, 10μl blood into ependorf tube (yellow
6) Shake suspension for 5-10 seconds
7) Pipette 10μl of solution into Bürker chamber
8) Use light microscope to count

Question 5

How to count RBCs

Answer 5

Count 40 small squares on Bürker chamber
- That sum is the amount per 0.01μl
- Multiply total (e.g. 400) by 100 then 100 again
- 400 x 100 x 100 = 4 million in /μl

Question 6

What to do if some cells are on the edge of the line?

Answer 6

Count cells touching 2 of the lines and use the same 2 lines for all the boxes