Question

You have started your hematology internship and are making slides for the techs. Your supervisor tells you that all the slides have overlapping red blood cells throughout the entire slide, even though the smears are the correct length. What technique error could cause this?

Answer 1

Overlapping red blood cells on a smear can result from a steep angle or too fast movement of the spreader slide, or using too large a blood drop. Proper technique yields a single layer of non-overlapping cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

If all the slides have overlapping red blood cells throughout the entire slide, the possible technique error could be that the angle of the spreader slide was too steep while making the blood smear, the spreader slide was moved too quickly, or that the drop of blood used was too large.

Proper blood smear technique requires a consistent angle, typically between 30 and 45 degrees, and a smooth, steady motion of the spreader slide across the specimen slide. It is also crucial to start with a drop of blood that is not too large, as excessive volume can lead to thick, uneven smears with overlapping cells.

When a blood smear is correctly made, it should display a single layer of cells with the red blood cells separated and not overlapping. This allows for accurate identification and counting of the white blood cells and examination of cell morphology. Remember, the goal is to have cells that appear the same color, shape, and arrangement after staining. Any other outcome may indicate an issue with the smear preparation technique.