20 Questions
What is the purpose of placing a drop of blood on the end of a slide in the blood smearing procedure?
To create the smear
Why is the spreader slide placed at an angle of about 30 degrees in front of the blood spot?
To create a feathered edge on the smear
Which solution is an anionic / acidic dye used in staining blood smears?
Solution 1
What is the ideal extent to which the smear should extend on the slide?
Approximately two thirds of the length of the slide
Why should the smear be allowed to fully air dry prior to staining?
To ensure proper binding of the staining dyes
What is the best part of a blood smear for evaluation?
Body close to the tail
What term is used to describe variation in erythrocyte diameter in stained blood smears?
Anisocytosis
What are the arrow-marked larger cells on blood smear A called?
Reticulocytes
What is the name for RBCs with poor hemoglobin concentration, indicated by centrally stained cells with a central pallor?
Microcytes
What does the presence of polychromatophilic erythrocytes on a blood smear indicate?
Red cell regeneration
What term is used to describe the presence of reticulocytes in a blood smear?
Polychromatophilic cells
In the context of blood smears, what does anisocytosis refer to?
Variation in red blood cell size
What does the presence of polychromatophilic erythrocytes indicate in a blood smear?
Red cell regeneration
What is the best part of a blood smear for evaluation?
Body close to tail
What does microcytosis in a blood smear indicate?
Chronic anemia
What is the purpose of using a Diff-Quik fixative (methanol) in staining blood smears?
To fix the blood cells to the slide and prevent them from being washed away during the staining process
What is the function of Diff-Quik solution 1 in the staining procedure for blood smears?
It binds to cationic sites on proteins and gives an orange-red color
Why is it important for the spreader slide not to be lifted until the feathered edge is completely formed in blood smearing?
To avoid blurring or distorting the cellular structures in the smear
What does it indicate if a blood smear has an uneven feathered edge and extends beyond two thirds of the length of the slide?
The smear may contain too many or too few blood cells, affecting its diagnostic value
In blood smearing, what is the purpose of harvesting the blood sample using a microhaematocrit tube?
To create a thin, even layer of blood on the slide for microscopic examination
Study Notes
Blood Smearing Procedure
- A drop of blood is placed on the end of a slide to create a thin layer for smearing.
- The spreader slide is placed at an angle of about 30 degrees in front of the blood spot to achieve a smooth, even smearing of the blood.
Staining Blood Smears
- Eosin, an anionic/acidic dye, is used in staining blood smears.
- The smear should extend about two-thirds of the length of the slide to allow for optimal evaluation.
Preparation and Evaluation
- The smear should be allowed to fully air dry prior to staining to prevent smudging or mixing of the stain with the blood.
- The best part of a blood smear for evaluation is the "feathered edge" where the blood cells are evenly dispersed and thinly spread.
Blood Smear Characteristics
- Anisocytosis refers to variation in erythrocyte diameter in stained blood smears.
- Polychromatophilic erythrocytes indicate an increased production of red blood cells.
- Reticulocytosis refers to the presence of reticulocytes in a blood smear.
- Microcytosis indicates small red blood cell size.
- Hypochromia refers to RBCs with poor hemoglobin concentration, characterized by centrally stained cells with a central pallor.
Staining Procedure
- A fixative (methanol) is used to fix the blood cells in place before staining.
- Diff-Quik solution 1 is used to stain the blood smear, allowing for visualization of blood cell morphology.
Blood Smearing Techniques
- The spreader slide should not be lifted until the feathered edge is completely formed to prevent uneven smudging.
- An uneven feathered edge and a smear that extends beyond two-thirds of the length of the slide indicate poor smearing technique.
- Harvesting a blood sample using a microhaematocrit tube allows for a more accurate representation of blood cell morphology.
This quiz covers the evaluation and analysis of blood smears, including the staining process and its importance in veterinary haematology. It discusses the use of Romanowsky stains, such as Diff-Quick, for rapid staining and differentiation of smears.
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