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A CBC result that needs context

An adult EDTA CBC has RBC 3.10 × 10^12/L, hemoglobin 9.1 g/dL, hematocrit 27.0%, MCV 87.1 fL, WBC 8.5 × 10^9/L, neutrophils 55%, platelets 165 × 10^9/L, and MPV 10.8 fL. Low RBC, hemoglobin, and hematocrit with an MCV inside the illustrative interval support an anemia pattern; they do not identify a cause.

A CBC combines measurements and derived results. Interpret each result with its method, units, flags, specimen condition, local reference interval, and review criteria. The illustrative intervals shown here are teaching context, not reporting limits or a diagnosis.

Illustrative drawing — this picture was drawn rather than captured.

Individual CBC cards show low RBC 3.10 times 10 to the twelfth per liter, hemoglobin 9.1 grams per deciliter, and hematocrit 27.0 percent; MCV 87.1 femtoliters is within its own illustrative interval.
Figure 1CBC result cards; each result is shown against its own illustrative interval, not a shared scale.
Case results shown against illustrative intervals.
ParameterResultIllustrative interval or relationship
RBC3.10 × 10^12/L4.2–5.7 × 10^12/L
Hemoglobin9.1 g/dL13.0–17.0 g/dL
Hematocrit27.0%39–50%
MCV87.1 fL80–100 fL
WBC8.5 × 10^9/Linput to absolute differential
Neutrophils55%percentage, not an absolute concentration
Absolute neutrophils4.7 × 10^9/L8.5 × 0.55 = 4.675; report per local rounding
Platelets165 × 10^9/Lcount input
MPV10.8 fLplatelet-volume input
Plateletcrit0.18%165 × 10.8 ÷ 10,000 = 0.1782%; analyzer definition/rounding apply

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Knowledge check 1

Which statement best describes the first CBC pattern?

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