list the usual test done in a CBC lab test and state its purpose.
According to Sonora Quest Laboratories, several essential parameters are routinely measured in a hematology lab's complete blood count (CBC) test: red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb) levels, hematocrit (Hct), white blood cell count (WBC), platelet count (Plt), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and red cell distribution width (RDW). These measurements provide information on the quantity, quality, and properties of blood cells. Abnormalities in these parameters can aid in the diagnosis of a variety of blood-related illnesses, including anemia, infections, inflammation, and clotting problems, making the CBC an important tool for monitoring overall health.
Reference:
Understanding the complete blood count (CBC). (n.d.). Sonora Quest Laboratories | Arizona's Leader in Lab Testing. https://www.sonoraquest.com/patient/knowledge-center/understanding-the-complete-blood-count-cbc/
Hemoglobin: Low hemoglobin levels (anemia) can indicate conditions like iron deficiency, while high levels may suggest dehydration or polycythemia.
Hematocrit (Hct): Hematocrit measures the percentage of red blood cells in the total blood volume. Low hematocrit levels can indicate anemia, while high levels can be seen in conditions like polycythemia.
Red Blood Cell Count: This measures the number of red blood cells in a specific volume of blood. Abnormal RBC counts can suggest various blood disorders, such as anemia or polycythemia.
Mean Corpuscular Volume: MCV measures the average volume or size of red blood cells. It can help classify anemias. Microcytic anemia has small RBCs, normocytic anemia has normal-sized RBCs, and macrocytic anemia has large RBCs.
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH): MCH measures the average amount of hemoglobin in each red blood cell. It helps identify the type of anemia; for example, low MCH suggests hypochromic anemia.
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC): MCHC measures the concentration of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Abnormal values can indicate various types of anemia.
Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW): RDW measures the variation in the size of red blood cells. It is used to assess anisocytosis (variation in RBC size), which can be seen in different types of anemias.
Platelet Count (Plt): Platelets are involved in blood clotting. Low platelet counts can lead to bleeding disorders, while high counts may indicate conditions like thrombocytosis.
White Blood Cell Count (WBC): WBC count measures the number of white blood cells in the blood. Elevated levels may suggest infection, inflammation, or leukemia, while low levels can be seen in conditions like bone marrow disorders.
Differential White Blood Cell Count: This provides the percentages of different types of white blood cells (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils). It helps diagnose specific infections or conditions.
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