Blood Films and Staining

What are the 4 uses of blood films?

Evaluation of cellular morphology, differentials, estimate WBC count, estimate platelet counts

What are the 3 parts to a blood film?

Feathered edge, monolayer, body of the blood film

What should the length if the blood sample on the film be?

1/2 to 2/3 of slide

What should the width of the blood sample be on the film?

Edges of blood film should be slightly narrower than the side

How should the feathered edge look of a blood film?

Should be straight or bell shaped, no tails or abrupt ends

What should the appearance of a blood film be?

Should have a gradual transition from body to feathered edge.

What is this blood film appearance called and what is the cause/solution?

Tail or horn appearance, caused by blood in front of the spreader slide, solution is to be patient

What is this blood film appearance, and what is the cause/solution?

Narrow widths, caused by not letting the blood spread all the way across spreader slide before proceeding, solution is to be patient

What is this blood film appearance, and what is the cause/solution?

Uneven edges, caused by lifting the edge of the spreader slide and a lack of straight forward motion, solution is to keep contact between spreader slide and blood smear

What is this blood film appearance, and what is the cause/solution?

Abrupt ends, caused by stopping before you’re finished (didn’t follow through), solution is to not lift the spreader slide prematurely and to follow through

What is this blood film appearance, and what is the cause/solution?

Pressure ridges, caused by too much pressure applied on the spreader slide, solution is to decrease the amount of pressure on the spreader slide

What is this blood film appearance, and what is the cause/solution?

Fingerprints, smudges, caused by handling the blood film before it has been given adequate time to dry, solution is to let the film properly dry

What is this blood film appearance, and what is the cause/solution?

Too long, caused by angle of spreader slide, too much blood, HCT of the patient sample, solution is to change the angle of spreader slide and use a smaller drop of blood

What is this blood film appearance, and what is the cause/solution?

Too short, caused by angle of the spreader slide, too little blood, solution is to change the angle od the spreader slide and use a larger drop of blood

What are 3 potential problems for making blood films for an anemia patient?

Sample won’t have as many cells as it should, blood is thinner and less viscous, easier to make a film that is too long

What are 2 solutions for making blood films for anemic patients?

Increase angle of the spreader slide, use smaller drop of blood

What are the 2 problems with making blood films for a patient with increased PCV?

Sample is too viscous, easier to make a blood film that is too short/thick

What are the 2 solutions to making a blood film for a patient with increased PCV?

Use larger drop of blood, decrease angle of spreader slide