Untitled Flashcards Set

Fill out the reference range table

On the 

What are the formulas for MCV, MCH, MCHC? What do they represent?

Insert Formulas. 

MCV indicates size, MCH tell amount of hgb per rbc, MCHC indicates color

What are the X3 Rules? What to consider if they do not work?

RBC x3 = HGB +-3, HGB x3 = HCT +-3 

If they do not work consider instrument error, sample problem, patient condition

Is it normal for MCV to change drastically?

No, it may be the wrong patient. Repeat before testing

Is MCHC over 360 g/L possible? What can cause it?

No, RBC cannot carry more than 360g/L of hemoglobin and must be investigated.

Causes are

• Spherocytes

• Interference from sample or instrument problem

• False result from cold agglutinins due to lipemia 

• Plasma interference from severe hemolysis

How to fix lipemia?

Do a saline replacement, replace lipemia with saline

What are histograms?

• Come from electrical impedance

• 2D graphs of frequency distribution

• Counts cells of varying sizes based on size thresholds

What are scatter plots/ cytograms?

• 3D graphs from optical measurements (flow cytometers)​

• Size, shape, complexity (able to differentiate WBCs)​

• Forward scatter = size​

• Low angle scatter = external complexity​

• High angle scatter = internal complexity​

Practice Labeling Histograms and Scatter plots