Final answer:
A phlebotomist should report any significant deviations from normal WBC counts, such as leukocytosis, which can indicate an immune response to conditions such as burns or infections. Laboratory testing of blood samples allows assessment of health based on WBC types and counts. Variations in blood testing results can guide medical decisions, such as proceeding with chemotherapy.
Step-by-step explanation:
A phlebotomist using a point-of-care test system to determine a patient's white blood cell (WBC) count should immediately notify the provider if the results show a significant departure from the normal range, such as leukocytosis, which could indicate an infection, inflammation, or other medical conditions. Leukocytosis is an expected finding in patients with severe burns, like in the case described, because it reflects the body's natural immune response to the trauma of the burn. The heightened state of inflammation and immune activity leads to an increase in the production of white blood cells to combat potential infection and promote healing.
During the hour a blood sample sits in a glass tube, the blood cells have time to clot, and the blood begins to separate. The clear, top layer which is collected is called serum; this allows laboratory technicians to perform tests without the interference of blood cells.
Analyses of a differential cell count compared to normal values help to interpret the overall state of health of a patient. For example, elevated neutrophil counts suggest infection or inflammation, lymphocytosis might indicate viral infections, and monocytosis can be associated with chronic inflammatory states.
When a patient's blood is tested for type and both anti-A and anti-B antibodies cause agglutination, this indicates that the patient's blood type is AB positive, which is a normal and expected result for individuals with that blood type.
Using flow cytometry to quantify CD8 T cells, the difference in peak areas suggests the relative abundance of these cells. A peak that is three times greater for a specific cell type, such as CD8 T cells, indicates a higher number of these cells are present in the blood, which can be a sign of immune system activity due to recovery from an infection like influenza.
An absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of 1900 cells per microliter, as in the case of a patient undergoing chemotherapy, is below the normal range. Therefore, the healthcare team will have to decide whether to proceed with chemotherapy treatment depending on whether this level poses too much risk for serious infection.