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Blood smear



Red blood cells, sickle cell
Red blood cells, sickle cell
Red blood cells, tear-drop shape
Red blood cells, tear-drop shape
Red blood cells, normal
Red blood cells, normal
Red blood cells, elliptocytosis
Red blood cells, elliptocytosis
Red blood cells, spherocytosis
Red blood cells, spherocytosis
Acute lymphocytic leukemia - photomicrograph
Acute lymphocytic leukemia - photomicrograph
Red blood cells, multiple sickle cells
Red blood cells, multiple sickle cells
Malaria, microscopic view of cellular parasites
Malaria, microscopic view of cellular parasites
Malaria, photomicrograph of cellular parasites
Malaria, photomicrograph of cellular parasites
Red blood cells, sickle cells
Red blood cells, sickle cells
Red blood cells, sickle and pappenheimer
Red blood cells, sickle and pappenheimer
Red blood cells, target cells
Red blood cells, target cells
Formed elements of blood
Formed elements of blood


Blood smear

Alternative Names:

Peripheral smear
What the risks are:

The risks associated with having blood drawn are minimal:

  • Excessive bleeding
  • Fainting or feeling light-headed
  • Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
  • Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
  • Multiple punctures to locate veins

Special considerations:

The accuracy of this test depends, in part, on the experience of the person examining the sample. Experienced cell examiners can determine significant amounts of information from the blood smear.




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