Question

Which factor may cause the blood smear to be too thin?

Answer 1

There are three factors which determine the thickness of a blood smear.

They include :

1. Angle of the spreader slide ( angles = > thickness)

2. Size of blood drop

The larger the drop the thicker the smear.


3. Speed of spreading

The faster the spreading the thinner the smear.

So in our case, for a thin smear :

The blood drop size would be small and the speed of spreading would be high.

Answer 2

ForbThin film (a): Bring a clean spreader slide, held at a 45° angle, toward the drop of blood

on the specimen slide.

(b): Wait until the blood spreads along the entire width of the spreader slide.

(c): While holding the spreader slide at the same angle, push it forward rapidly

and smoothly.