Complete Blood Count Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Complete Blood Count?
A complete blood count (CBC) is a commonly used laboratory test that provides information about the composition of the blood. It measures red and white cells, platelets, and other components of the blood. This test is often used to diagnose illnesses and to monitor their progression or help determine treatment plans.The CBC assesses the quantity, quality, and proportions of different cell types in the body. The most common types of cells measured are red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), and platelets. RBCs provide oxygen to tissues throughout the body while WBCs are part of the immune system that protect us from infections and fight diseases. Platelets help form clots in response to injury or bleeding within vessels. Each type has an optimal range for healthy individuals; any deviation from this range is indicative of a potential issue that should be further investigated by medical professionals.In addition to these cell types, other measurements are taken during a CBC including hemoglobin levels and hematocrit ratio which measure how much oxygen is being transported in your blood; mean corpuscular volume which gives an indication of average size; mean corpuscular hemoglobin which assesses how much hemoglobin is present in each cell; as well as other tests such as total protein counts, glucose levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), reticulocyte count, etc. These additional measures can provide further information about potential health issues.Understanding what a complete blood count doesand all its componentsis essential for diagnosing illnesses accurately and assessing patient progress throughout treatment cycles.