Question

When examining a blood smear, cell morphology should be evaluated

a. At the basement membrane.
b. At the body beginning where the drop of blood was placed.
c. At the feathered edge.
d. At the monolayer.

Answer 1

Cell morphology should be evaluated at the monolayer of a blood smear for accurate observation of cell characteristics and differentiation after staining, which is crucial for identifying different cell populations and potential pathogens present. The correct option is d.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cell morphology, when examining a blood smear, should be evaluated at the monolayer. This is the area where the cells are spread out enough to be distinct from one another without overlapping excessively, which allows for proper observation and identification of cell characteristics.

During the preparation of a blood smear, one seeks to create a smear with a 'feathered edge' where a single layer of cells is achieved.

This is beneficial for visual inspection under a microscope especially when using differential stains like the Wright-Giemsa stain that highlight different components of the cells. The correct option is d.