(b) Examine the entire ruled area for the presence of cellular elements.
If both leukocytes and erythrocytes are observed, note the condition of the red cells
(fresh or crenated).
(c)
Count all cells in the entire ruled area (0.9 cu mm).
(2)
Turbid spinal fluid is set up as follows:
(a) Draw cerebrospinal fluid diluting fluid to "1.0" mark of the white
blood cell diluting pipet.
(b) Carefully draw a well-mixed specimen of spinal fluid to the "11"
mark.
(c)
Shake the pipet for two minutes to mix the specimen.
(d) Discard the fluid in the capillary portion of the pipet.
(e) Charge the counting chamber and allow the cells to settle for five
minutes.
(f)
Under low-power magnification count all cells in the entire ruled
area (0.9 cu mm).
(g) Switch to high-power and perform a rough differential count diluting
pipet.
(3)
For very cloudy spinal fluid a white blood cell dilution is made as follows:
(a) Draw spinal fluid to the "0.5" mark in the white blood cell diluting
pipet.
(b)
Draw cerebrospinal fluid diluting fluid to the 11 mark.
(c)
Perform steps (c) through (g) in paragraph 5-6c(2).
d. Calculations.
(1)
Clear spinal fluid:
Number of cells counted
= cells per cu mm
volume (0.9)
MD0853
5-13