Blood Laboratory Exercises – Review Flashcards

A set of 50 question-and-answer flashcards covering key points from Blood Laboratory Exercises 20.1–20.7, including identification, functions, normal values, procedures, and definitions.

1. What three major formed elements are visible on a prepared blood smear?

Erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets

2. Name the five different types of leukocytes.

Neutrophil, eosinophil, basophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte

3. Which formed element is most numerous in normal blood?

Erythrocyte (red blood cell)

4. What physical feature distinguishes granulocytes from agranulocytes?

Granulocytes contain visible cytoplasmic granules; agranulocytes do not.

5. Which leukocytes are classified as granulocytes?

Neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils

6. Which leukocytes are classified as agranulocytes?

Lymphocytes and monocytes

7. What is the main function of erythrocytes?

Transport oxygen and carbon dioxide via hemoglobin

8. State the primary function of neutrophils.

Phagocytosis of bacteria; first responders to infection

9. State the primary function of eosinophils.

Fight parasitic worms and moderate allergic reactions

10. What is the chief function of basophils?

Release histamine and heparin to promote inflammation

11. What is the primary role of lymphocytes?

Mount immune responses—produce antibodies and destroy infected or cancerous cells

12. What is the primary role of monocytes?

Differentiate into macrophages that phagocytize pathogens and debris

13. What is the main function of platelets?

Initiate blood clotting by forming a platelet plug and releasing clotting factors

14. What is plasma and its major function?

The liquid portion of blood; transports nutrients, wastes, hormones, and proteins

15. Why is a total leukocyte count performed?

To assess the body’s ability to fight infection and detect blood disorders

16. What piece of equipment is used to load blood for a hematocrit test?

Heparinized capillary tube

17. After centrifugation, what device is used to read the hematocrit value?

A microhematocrit reader

18. What is the normal hematocrit range for adult males?

Approximately 42–52 %

19. What is the normal hematocrit range for adult females?

Approximately 37–47 %

20. Define anemia in terms of hematocrit or hemoglobin.

A condition in which oxygen-carrying capacity is abnormally low due to reduced RBC count, hematocrit, or hemoglobin level

21. Define polycythemia.

An abnormally high red blood cell count or hematocrit

22. What equipment is commonly used to determine hemoglobin content?

A hemoglobinometer or Tallquist paper/color comparator

23. What is the normal hemoglobin concentration for adult males?

About 13–18 g/dL

24. What is the normal hemoglobin concentration for adult females?

About 12–16 g/dL

25. Below what hemoglobin level is a patient generally considered anemic?

Values below the lower limit of normal (≈12 g/dL for females, ≈13 g/dL for males)

26. What substances are present in the antisera used for blood typing?

Specific antibodies: anti-A, anti-B, and anti-Rh

27. During blood typing, what observation indicates a positive reaction?

Agglutination (clumping) in the test well

28. Define agglutination.

Clumping of red blood cells caused by antigen-antibody binding

29. Define antigen in the context of blood typing.

A surface glycoprotein on RBCs that can trigger an immune response

30. Define antibody.

A plasma protein produced by lymphocytes that binds specifically to an antigen

31. If blood agglutinates with anti-A serum but not anti-B or anti-Rh, what is the blood type?

Type A negative (A−)

32. Which blood types can donate red cells to an AB⁺ recipient?

All ABO/Rh types (AB⁺ is the universal recipient)

33. Which blood type is considered the universal donor for red cells?

O negative (O−)

34. What blood types can an O⁺ individual safely receive?

O⁺ and O−

35. What does an increased neutrophil percentage usually suggest?

Bacterial infection or acute inflammation

36. A high eosinophil count may indicate what conditions?

Parasitic infection or allergic reaction

37. Elevated basophil numbers are commonly associated with what?

Allergic responses, inflammation, or certain myeloproliferative disorders

38. Increased lymphocyte percentage is often seen in which infections?

Viral infections

39. Monocytosis (high monocyte count) can indicate what?

Chronic infection such as tuberculosis or the recovery phase of acute infection

40. What is the normal percentage range of neutrophils in a differential count?

50–70 %

41. What is the normal percentage range of lymphocytes?

20–40 %

42. What is the normal percentage range of monocytes?

2–8 %

43. What is the normal percentage range of eosinophils?

1–4 %

44. What is the normal percentage range of basophils?

0.5–1 %

45. Briefly describe the basic procedure for a leukocyte differential count.

Stain a smear, scan under microscope, count 100 WBCs, calculate percentages of each type

46. Why are platelets considered formed elements rather than true cells?

They are cell fragments derived from megakaryocytes

47. After centrifugation, what three layers appear in a hematocrit tube?

Plasma (top), buffy coat of WBCs/platelets (middle), packed RBCs (bottom)

48. The buffy coat in a hematocrit tube contains which blood components?

Leukocytes and platelets

49. Why is Rh compatibility important during pregnancy?

An Rh-negative mother carrying an Rh-positive fetus can produce antibodies that cause hemolytic disease of the newborn

50. What can a decreased total leukocyte count (leukopenia) suggest?

Immunodeficiency, bone marrow suppression, or certain viral infections