INSTRUMENTS
[Link] NEUBAUERS COUNTING CHAMBER
1. Identify the instrument.
Improved Neubauer Counting chamber/ Hemocytometer
2. Enlist the parts of the instrument.
a) Basic rectangular glass chamber.
b) H shaped gutter (for mounting support).
c) 2 counting grids with 9 large squares each.
3. Mention its uses
a) 4 large corner squares - used for counting WBCs .
b) 1 Central large square- used for counting Platelets.
c) 5 small squares in central square- Used for counting RBCs/ Sperm count.
2. WESTEGRENS PIPETTE
[Link] the instrument.
Westegrens pipette
[Link] 2 identification points for it.
a) 30cm long glass pipette which is open at both ends.
b) Internal bore diameter of 2.5mm and calibrated 0 – 200 mm from top to
bottom.
[Link] its use.
Estimation of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
[Link] is the anticoagulant of choice and its proportion used for this test?
3.8% Sodium citrate in ratio of 1:4
[Link]’S TUBE
1. Identify the instrument.
Wintrobe’s tube
2. Write 2 identification points.
a) 11 cm long cylindrical glass tube which is closed at one end.
b) Internal bore diameter of 2.5mm and caliberated from 0-10 on both
sides in ascending and descending order alternatively
3. Mention its uses.
a) Determination of Packed cell volume (PCV) (White marking- 10 at top,
0 at bottom)
b) Determination of Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (Red marking-
0 at top, 10 at bottom)
c) Preparation of Buffy coat smear- for identification of Malarial parasite
& also LD body for Leishmaniasis, for evaluation of subleukemic
leukemia.
4. What
are the 3 layers seen in blood after centrifugation?
Plasma- Buffy coat- RBC
[Link] PIPETTE
1. Identify the instrument and mention its parts.
WBC Pipette. Parts- Calibrated stem, Bulb with white bead, rubber tube.
2. Mention its uses.
Used for estimation of WBC count in blood, body fluids (CSF/ Pleural/
peritoneal/ pericardial/ synovial) and semen analysis.
[Link] the diluting fluid used and its composition.
Turks fluid
Composition of Turk’s fluid:
Glacial acetic acid – lyse the RBC
1% Gentian violet- stain the WBC nuclei
[Link] PIPETTE
1. Identify the instrument and mention its parts.
RBC Pipette. Parts- Calibrated stem, Bulb with red bead, rubber tube.
2. Mention its uses
a) Used for estimation of RBC count in blood & body fluids (Pleural/
peritoneal/ pericardial/ synovial) and semen analysis.
b) Wherever higher dilution is required, Eg- High TLC
3. What is the role of red bead in the above instrument?
a) Helps in identification of pipette
b) Helps in mixing of diluting fluid and blood
c) To ensure dryness of
pipette: Free mobility
[Link]’S HEMOGLOBINOMETER
1. Identify the instrument and name its components.
Sahli’s hemoglobinometer. Sahli’s hemoglobin diluting tube, glass stirrer,
Sahli’s pipette and a comparator with brown glass standard
2. Mention its use.
Used for hemoglobin estimation by acid hematin method
3. Name two advantages and disadvantages of this method
a) Advantage; Easy and quick to perform, can be done as bedside
procedure.
b) Disadvantage; Carboxyhemoglobin, methemoglobin, and
sulfhemoglobin are not converted to acid hematin.
[Link] SILVERMAN LIVER BIOPSY NEEDLE
1. Identify the instrument
Vim silverman liver biopsy needle.
2. Name the parts of instrument.
Canula, Stilette/ trocar, Prong/fork/bifid needle (longer than needle
3. Mention its use
Used for obtaining core of liver tissue for analysis.
4. Name 4 indications for the same.
Pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO), malignancy, cirrhosis and various
storage disorders.
8. SALAH BONE MARROW ASPIRATION NEEDLE
1. Identify the instrument and name the parts of it.
Salah Bone marrow aspiration needle. Parts- Stout needle with
beveled tip and wide bore and stilette with adjustable guard.
2. Mention 2 indications and contraindications for same?
Indications
a) RBC Disorders; Megaloblastic anemia, Pure red cell aplasia
b) WBC Disorders; Leukemia
c) Platelet disorders; ITP
d) PUO
e) Storage disorders
Contraindications (Relative);
a) Thrombocytopenia
b) Hemophilia
3. Mention various sites of preference for the procedure.
Adult (Posterior superior iliac spine), Obese (sternum), Infants
(Tibial tuberosity)
[Link] BONE MARROW TREPHINE BIOPSY NEEDLE
1. Identify the instrument.
Jamshidi bone marrow trephine biopsy needle
2. Name the parts of it
Canula, Needle and Tightening block
3. Mention 2 indications and contraindications for same.
Indications
a) Aplastic anemia/ Pancytopenia
b) Lympho/ Myeloproliferative disorders
c) Metastasis
c) PUO
Contraindications ;
b) Sternum site
c) Hemophilia
4. Mention 2 complications of it
a) Local hemorrhage or bleeding.
b) Injury to the nerve or blood vessels
[Link] PUNCTURE NEEDLE
1. Identify the instrument and mention its use.
Lumbar puncture needle- used for collection of Cerebrospinal fluid
samples.
2. Mention 2 indications for same?
a) Diagnostic- Meningits, Pyrexia of unknown origin, subarachnoid
hemorrhage, Myelography- Introduction of radiological dyes.
b) Therapeutic – Spinal anesthesia, chemotherapy of leukemia
(intrathecal methotrexate), Intrathecal antibiotics.
3. What is the site preferred for the procedure?
Intervertebral space between L3&L4.
4. Enlist the sequence of structures pierced during the procedure.
Skin- Subcutaneous tissue- Interspinal ligament- Ligamentum flavum-
Subarachnoid space- CSF collection.
[Link]
1. Identify the instrument and name the parts of it
Urinometer. Parts- Weight, Float & Calibrated stem.
2. Mention its use
Used for estimation of specific gravity of urine.
3. What is the normal reference value of it?
1.003-1.030
4. what is the value of fixed specific gravity and mention the cause of
it?
1.010. Cause- Chronic renal failure (indicated poor tubular
reabsorption)
5. What is the principle behind the procedure done by the instrument?
Principle of Buoyancy- An increased solute concentration or increased
specific gravity increased the upthrust of the solution correspondingly.
[Link] INDICATOR PAPER
1. Identify it.
PH indicator paper
2. Mention its use.
Used to determine if a solution/ sample is acidic/ alkaline or neutral.
3. Write 2 causes of acidic and alkaline urine?
a) Acidic urine- Ketosis (diabetes mellitus, starvation, fever), urinary tract
infection by Escherichia coli, and high protein diet.
b) Alkaline urine- Urinary tract infection by ammonia splitting bacteria
such as Proteus or Pseudomonas, severe vomiting, vegetarian diet, old
ammoniacal urine sample and chronic renal failure.
4. Mention the alternative methods for measuring the same parameter.
PH meter, Dipstick method.
[Link] ANTISERA
[Link] the reagent and mention its use
ABD Antisera. Used to determine Blood grouping and typing.
2. What are the two phases of blood grouping and typing technique?
Forward grouping- Known Antibody/antisera + Unknown Antigen
Reverse grouping- Known antigen + Unknown Antibody/antisera
3. Mention the antigens and antibodies present in Bombay blood
group.
Antigens- A, B & H antigen- absent
Antibody- Anti A, Anti- B & Anti- H antibodies present.
14. VACUTAINER
1. Identify it.
Lavendar topped Vacutainer
2. Name its containts/ anticoagulant.
EDTA- Ethelyene Diamine tetra acitic acid
3. Mention its uses
Hematological examination like complete hemogram, ESR, coombs
test, reticulocyte count, Hb electrophoresis, HbA1C
What is the difference between plasma and serum?
4.
a) PLASMA: obtained by centrifugation of anticoagulant added
blood and it contain all coagulation factors except calcium ions
b) SERUM: obtained when blood undergoes clotting and it does not
contain clotting factors
[Link] JAR
1. Identify the instrument.
Coplin jar
2. Mention its uses.
a) Holding microscopic glass slides vertically back to back
b) Helps transport / storage for cytology smears such as FNAC/Pap
smear
c) Staining the smears/sections
3. Write 2 advantages and disadvantages of it?
Advantages
Saves time
Saves reagent
Prevents smear rubbing against each other
Disadvantages
Evaporation of reagent
Sedimentation of stains