Date Basic Tests with Rationale Result Clinical Significance Nursing Interventions

Normal Values
(before and after)

J Complete Blood Constitutes only 1% of the Before the exam:

Count total blood volume;
A 1. Explain the procedure to the
functions in the
patient.
N inflammatory and immune
Leukocyte processes; determine 2. Explain to the patient that she
U 18.2 A high number of WBC is
presence of inflammation may experience slight
(5 – 10 %) called luekocytosis. It may
A and the action of immune discomfort at the punctured site.
be due to Anemia,
response against antigens
R Infectious diseases, After the exam:
Inflammatory disease,
Y 1. Apply pressure at the
leukemia, Severe
venipuncture site to prevent
emotional or physical
bleeding.
stress and tissue damage
2
(for example, burns). A
7 low number of WBCs is
called leukopenia. It may
2

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0 be due to Bone marrow
failure (for example, due
1
to infection, tumor, or
0 abnormal scarring),
Collagen-vascular
diseases (such as lupus
erythematosus), Disease
of the liver or spleen and
radiation.

Lymphocytes Moves between blood and 0.10 Lymphocytosis is a sign

lymph tissue. Their function of an underlying problem.
(0.25 - 0.40 %)
in the lymph node or spleen Common causes include
is to defend against viral and bacterial
microorganisms in the infections, such as
immune system; increases mononucleosis, influenza
during defense mechanism or whooping cough
of the body towards foreign (pertussis). A marked
substances increase in lymphocytes
may indicate a more
serious condition, such as

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 chronic lymphocytic
leukemia.

Since lymphocytes are

made in the bone marrow
(a tissue that fills the
openings of bones), if not
enough bone marrow is
produced or the activity of
the bone marrow
decreases, an abnormally
low lymphocyte count can
occur.

Erythrocyte Measures the total number 2.93 A decreased number of

of red blood cells in 1 mm3 RBCs results from either
(4.5 – 5.0
of blood; its function, acute or chronic blood
Million/m m3)
facilitated by the iron – loss. Acute blood loss is a
containing hemoglobin rapid depletion of blood
molecule, is to transport volume. Chronic blood

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