Difficulty: Easy

Average Score: 80%

When performing a blood smear, which of the following actions should a phlebotomist take to ensure a quality result?

Rationale

Hold the slides at 30° to each other when performing the smear.

Positioning the slides at a 30° angle allows for a proper spread of the blood, ensuring a thin, even layer that is crucial for accurate examination under a microscope. This angle helps to create the ideal smear thickness, which is necessary for identifying cellular components effectively.

A (Hold the two slides at 90° to each other when performing the smear.) YOUR ANSWER

Holding the slides at a 90° angle would result in a much thicker smear that could lead to overlapping cells, making it difficult to assess the individual components of the blood sample. This angle is not conducive to creating a quality smear, which requires a more controlled approach.

B (Allow the blood drop to clot slightly prior to performing the smear.) YOUR ANSWER

Allowing the blood to clot slightly before performing the smear is counterproductive. Clotting leads to an uneven distribution of cells in the smear, which can obscure important details and result in an inaccurate assessment of the sample. Fresh blood should be used immediately to ensure optimal results.

D (Allow the blood drop to clot completely prior to performing the smear.) YOUR ANSWER

Completely allowing the blood drop to clot prior to smearing would render the sample unsuitable for analysis, as a formed clot cannot be spread effectively. This action would prevent the phlebotomist from obtaining a liquid sample that is necessary for a proper blood smear.

Conclusion

To ensure a quality blood smear, the phlebotomist must hold the slides at a 30° angle. This technique allows for an optimal spread of the blood, necessary for accurate analysis of cellular elements. Other options, including inappropriate angles and allowing the blood to clot, lead to poor-quality smears that compromise the reliability of the results.

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