The examination findings from three routine hematology reports, each using a different format, are demonstrated in Examples E17 through E19.

Example E17 is a routine form using the abbreviations RBC and WBC instead of writing out erythrocytes and leukocytes. You also may not be familiar with the term "lymphoblast" which means an immature lymphocyte. As a check that you have abstracted the correct values, add the various leukocyte percentages to see if they equal 100%. For example, in Example E17 the differential white count is as follows:

Example E18 simply records the workup and the values obtained in an abbreviated form. Abbreviations frequently used are:

CBC =       complete blood count (RBC and WBC)
RBC =       red blood count
WBC =      white blood count
Hct. =      hematocrit
Hgb. =      hemoglobin
Plat. = platelets
Retic. =    reticulocytes
PME =      polymorphonuclear eosinophils (leukocytes)
PMN =      polymorphonuclear neutrophils (leukocytes)

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes usually refer only to neutrophils. Notice in Example E18 that the abbreviations PME and PMN are both used.

Promonocytes are immature monocytes.

Check that the differential white count adds to 100%

Example E19 again is a routine form, but much more detailed and explicit than E17. The leukocytes are subdivided into granulocytes and agranulocytes which are then further subdivided. Check that the differential white count adds to 100%.

On the basis of what you know about the diseases associated with abnormal blood cells, abstract what you think is pertinent from the following hematology reports (Example E17, Example E18, and Example E19), then check with the abstractions.