matching 10-4 common routine blood smear prep problem and probable cause

Streaks or tails in feathered edge

Blood drop started to dry out Edge of spreader slide dirty or chipped Spreader slide pushed through blood drop Uneven pressure applied to spreader slide

smear is too long

Blood drop too large Spreader slide angle too shallow Spreader slide pushed too slowly Patient has a low hemoglobin

Smear is too thick

Blood drop too large Spreader slide angle too steep Patient has high red blood cell count

smear is too thin

Blood drop too small Spreader slide angle too shallow Patient has a low hemoglobin

smear is too short

Blood drop too small Spreader slide angle too steep Spreader slide pushed too quickly Patient has high red blood cell count

Holes in the smear

Dirty slide Fat globules in the blood Blood contaminated with glove powder

Absence of feather

spreader slide lifted before smear was completed

Ridges or uneven thickness

Too much pressure applied to spreader slide