HEMATOLOGY WORKSHEETS

MLSC-382A INSTRUCTOR: BETH RAWSON

1 Body Fluids Updated: 8/6/2020

BODY FLUID ANALYSIS Worksheet STUDENT NAME: _____________________

1. Explain the derivation of the fluid cell count equation; explain the reason for inclusion of each of the included values. How do these factors translate to number of cells per uL?

[(Dilution factor)(# Cells counted)(10)] / (# of Large Squares) = Cells/uL

Component Explanation – why is this part of the formula?

Dilution Factor

# Cell Counted

(10)

# Large Squares

HINT: I recommend referring back to the body fluids lecture in Intro Heme to complete this table. 2. Explain why overloading the hemocytometer chamber (making the coverslip float above the

rails) could result in erroneous counts. 3. What is the standard diluent for manual body fluid counts by hemocytometer, and why? 4. Explain the significance of seeing nucleated RBCs in a CSF. (What is this an indication of?)

MLSC-382A INSTRUCTOR: BETH RAWSON

2 Body Fluids Updated: 8/6/2020

5. Describe the method used to evaluate synovial fluids for crystals (not the procedure at your

site). 6. Explain the purpose of albumin when used to prepare cytospin smears for manual

differential. 7. Why is anticoagulant necessary for most body fluids, but not for CSF? (Hint: What is

necessary for coagulation to occur? Is it present in CSF?) 8. What is the purpose of using acetic acid as a diluent when manually counting body fluids? 9. Why can’t you use acetic acid on synovial fluids? (HINT: What is the mucin clot test?) 10. Which body fluid types are generally not able to be run/evaluated by automated

instrumentation? Why?

MLSC-382A INSTRUCTOR: BETH RAWSON

3 Body Fluids Updated: 8/6/2020