Question

Explain the characteristics of a good bland smear wedge and how it should be dried

Answer 1

Ans) Characteristics of a good bland smear wedge:

1. size -- covers at least half the length of the slide
2. width -- must not touch the sides of the slide
3. spread -- smooth & even; no waves, streaks, ridges, bubbles, holes
4. end -- straight or bullet-shaped with feathered end; NO TAILS
5. thickness -- thin enough to allow a single layer of cells & a large enough reading area
6. entire drop of blood is used.

It should have a rainbow sheen when reflecting light. The smear should be smooth the entire length of the slide with no holes, lines or grainy appearance. The slide consists of a blood smear that is exactly one cell thick in the feathered edge when viewed microscopically.

- The slide is dried, loaded in cassette, and moved to the staining position, where stain and then buffer and rinse are added at designated times.

- When staining is complete, the slide is moved to a dry position, then to a collection aread where it can be picked up for microscopic evaluation.