Final answer:
A Complete Blood Count (CBC) is the laboratory test that uses whole blood samples to detect issues with blood cell counts, sizes, or shapes, indicating possible diseases.
Step-by-step explanation:
The laboratory test that uses samples of whole blood to identify problems with the count, size, or shape of blood cells, which could indicate disease, is called a Complete Blood Count (CBC). The CBC is an essential diagnostic test that provides information on the levels and health of various blood cells, such as red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets. Other tests such as blood smears, bone marrow biopsies, and coagulation tests are also used to analyze blood cells and clotting abilities, but it is the CBC that often serves as a first step in identifying blood-related issues.
When conducting a CBC, technicians measure the hematocrit to determine the percentage of RBCs in the blood sample. Additionally, a differential cell count can be performed to analyze the relative percentage of different leukocyte types. The presence of a normal or abnormal differential count, interpreted within the context of the CBC, can point to various health conditions.