1. Unit #6B – Clinical Laboratory Testing Basic Hematology
Cecile Sanders, M.Ed., MT(ASCP),
CLS (NCA)

2. Unit #6B – Clinical Laboratory Testing – Basic Hematology
Department of Hematology
Study of formed elements of blood and blood forming tissues
Screen, diagnosis and monitor hematologic diseases (anemias, leukemias, etc.) and also give a general idea of overall health

3. Unit #6B – Clinical Laboratory Testing – Basic Hematology
Composition of Blood - blood is 6-8% of total body weight and equals approximately 5 liters (think about 5 liter bottles of Coke)
Serum vs Plasma –
Both are fluid portions of blood
Serum is from clotted blood, has no clotting factors (used up in the clotting process)
Plasma is from anticoagulated blood, has clotting factors, makes up about 45-60% of blood’s volume

4. Unit #6B – Clinical Laboratory Testing – Basic Hematology
Cellular Elements – make up the remainder of the blood volume
Erythrocytes / RBCs
~ 4-6 million/µL
Transport oxygen and carbon dioxide
Electron Micrograph Stained Blood Smear Viewed by Microscope

5. Unit #6B – Clinical Laboratory Testing – Basic Hematology
Leukocytes / WBCs
~ 4,800-10,800 /µL in circulating blood; many more in tissues
Function in immunity and defense against bacteria, viruses and all other foreign materials (includes allergens like pollen, etc.)
Illustration of WBC Stained WBC Viewed Under Microscope

6. Unit #6B – Clinical Laboratory Testing – Basic Hematology
Types of WBCs:
Granulocytes (neutrophils, basophils, & eosinophils)
Drawing Stained Granulocytes Viewed Under Microscope

7. Unit #6B – Clinical Laboratory Testing – Basic Hematology
Lymphocytes (On blood smear)
Monocytes (On blood smear)

8. Unit #6B – Clinical Laboratory Testing – Basic Hematology
Platelets / Thrombocytes
Pieces of a bone marrow cell known as a megakaryocyte
Function to stop bleeding by forming a plug and also release coagulation factors
Platelets on blood smear (very small “dots” among RBC)

9. Unit #6B – Clinical Laboratory Testing – Basic Hematology
Common Hematology Laboratory Tests
Complete Blood Count (CBC) includes:
RBC count
WBC count
Hemoglobin
Hematocrit
WBC Differential
Platelet count
Additional information on size and appearance of blood cells

10. Unit #6B – Clinical Laboratory Testing – Basic Hematology
Common Hematology Laboratory Tests
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
Reticulocyte Count
Sickle Cell Testing
Coagulation Tests include:
Prothrombin Time (PT)
Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT)
Fibrinogen
Factor Analysis

11. Unit #6B – Clinical Laboratory Testing – Basic Hematology
Hematological Diseases (Diseases may be classified in more than one category)
Diseases of improper or insufficient production
Anemias – Examples include iron deficiency anemia and aplastic anemia, among others
Leukemias – WBC production is affected and defective. Examples include acute and chronic leukemias
Thrombocytopenia – Decreased platelets. Patient may have bleeding problems

12. Unit #6B – Clinical Laboratory Testing – Basic Hematology
Diseases of defective cell function
May be combination of improper cell production and defective function
Examples include iron deficiency anemia and certain leukemias
Inherited hematological diseases
Examples include hemophilia, sickle cell anemia, G6PD deficiency, thalassemias
Secondary or acquired hematological diseases
Examples include hemolytic disease due to renal pathologies or atypical lymphocytes due to viral infections