CLINICAL LAB SCIENEC

354
ESSENTIALS OF CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
In the Lab
FIGURE 13-16 Image of RBCs with reticulum imbedded in RBCs,
stained with new methylene blue.
Source: Delmar/Cengage Learning.
10. Move to the next field until 1000 RBCs and
reticulocytes in total (not 1000 of each) are
counted for each smear. Usually a low and
a high control are analyzed when performing
a manual reticulocyte count.
11. Perform a hematocrit (Procedure #3) on the
blood for correction. Reticulocyte counts are
corrected for anemia by dividing the patient’s
hematocrit by 45 (normal hematocrit) and
then multiplying the result by the calculated
value for the reticulocyte count. A gridded
square can also be used for enumerating
the RBCs. There are also kits that prepare a
given dilution of blood with stain included;
these are designed to provide a more accurate
result for the reticulocyte count.
12. Discard all supplies used for the procedure
in the appropriate containers. A disinfectant
should be used to clean the work
surfaces and equipment should be cleaned
and restored to its former position. Gloves
should be discarded appropriately and the
hands washed thoroughly in accordance
with established policies.
Reporting of Results
Report your findings from the Reticulocyte Count procedure in the Procedure #6 Report
Form or other form supplied by your instructor. Results are reported as a percentage of
the RBCs that are reticulocytes. The results are calculated by the following equation.
% Reticulocytes =
Number of Reticulocytes Counted 100
Number of Red Blood Cells Counted
Example 13-1
Erythrocytes Counted Reticulocytes Observed
Smear 1 521 7
Smear 2 479 5
Totals 1000 12
% Reticulocytes 12 100 1.2 %
1000
Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.