Difficulty: Medium

Average Score: 67%

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.

Holding the slides at a 30° angle allows for an optimal spreading technique that yields a thin, even layer of blood on the slide, which is critical for accurate microscopic evaluation. This angle facilitates the proper distribution of blood cells, enhancing the quality of the smear.

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

Holding the slides at a 90° angle would create a thick smear that may lead to overlapping cells and clumping. This would hinder the ability to properly assess individual blood cells under the microscope, compromising the diagnostic quality of the smear.

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

Allowing the blood to clot prior to the smear would result in an inaccurate representation of the blood's cellular components. Clotting prevents the blood cells from being evenly spread and may lead to an incomplete sample that is unsuitable for evaluation.

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

Completely allowing the blood drop to clot would render the sample unusable for a smear, as the cells would be trapped within the clot and not available for proper microscopic examination. This would defeat the purpose of obtaining a blood smear for diagnostic purposes.

Conclusion

For a successful blood smear, the optimal technique involves holding the slides at a 30° angle to ensure a thin, well-distributed layer of blood. This method enhances the visualization of blood cells and provides reliable information for diagnosis. Incorrect techniques, such as using a 90° angle or allowing the blood to clot, compromise the quality of the smear, leading to potential diagnostic inaccuracies.

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