HEMA_111: Exercise 6 - Reticulocyte Count

What test is used to asses the erythropoietic activity of the bone marrow?

Reticulocyte count

Term for the process of producing erythrocytes

Erythropoiesis

Enumerate the cases wherein erythropoietic activity of bone marrow is assessed

* Anemia
* Trauma

True or False. Reticulocyte count is normal in high levels

False

Life span of RBCs

120 days

What stage of Red Blood Cells are present inside the bone marrow?

Immature

Term for Immature RBCs with residual RNA

Reticulocytes

Alternative names of Reticulocytes

* Retics
* Polychromatophilic RBC

Stain used on Polychrtomatophilic RBCs

Wright stain

Stain used on Reticulocytes

Supravital stain

Term for RNA remnants present in Reticulocytes

Reticulin

Enumerate the 2 types of Supravital stains

* Brilliant cresyl blue
* New methylene blue

Specimen used for Reticulocyte count

EDTA blood

How many drops of EDTA blood is used for Reticulocyte count?

5 drops

How many drops of stain is used for Reticulocyte count?

5 drops

Ratio of EDTA blood:supravital stain

1:1

Incubation conditions for Reticulocyte count

10-15 minutes, room temperature

Maximum objective lens used for Reticulocyte count

Oil immersion objective

Term for the area in a blood smear that presents observable, properly spaced out and not overlapping RBCs

Zone of morphology

How many RBCs must be counted in Reticulocyte count?

1,000

Reference range for for Reticulocyte count in adults.

0\.5 - 1.5%

Give the formula of reticulocyte count:

\[ Format: (no. of blahblah/2000 Retics) x 100

(No. of reticulocyte counted/1000 RBCs) x 100

How do you express the final answer for reticulocyte count?

% retics