Bernard F. Feldman DVM, Ph D. Carolyn A. Sink MS, MT (ASCP).

• ContentsSection 1 Specimen Collection and Dipstick AnalysisIntroduction 3Some Helpful Hints 3Specimen Procurement 4Collection Methods 4Specimen Containers 4Specimen Processing 5Definition of Urinalysis 5Physical Properties 5Chemical Properties 7Sediment Analysis 8Procedure for Performing Chemical AnalysisUsing Dry Reagent Strip Method 8Storage of Dry Reagent Strips 9Dry Chemistry Methodologies 10Protein Test 10Ketones Test 11Glucose Test 12pH Test 13Bilirubin Test 14Blood Test 15Urobilinogen Test 16Nitrite Test 17Specific Gravity Test 17Leukocytes Test 18Section 2 Microscopic AnalysisCentrifugation of Urine Specimen 20Procedure for Centrifugation and PerformingMicroscopic Analysis of a Urine Sample 20Elements of Urine Sediment 21White Blood Cells 22Red Blood Cells 23Fat Droplets 24Epithelial Cells 24Casts 27Crystals 31Other Elements Found in Urine Sediment 38Mucus Threads 38Spermatozoa 39Bacteria 39Fungal Hyphae 40Parasites 41Artifacts 42Urinalysis Reference Ranges 44Physical Properties 44Dry Chemical Analysis 44Microscopic Analysis 44HematologySection 3 Specimen Collectionand TestingSpecimen Procurement 48Collection Method 48Definition of Complete Blood Count 49Procedures for Performing Manual Testing 49Hematocrit 49Plasma Proteins 53Fibrinogen 55Peripheral Blood Smear 56Section 4 White Blood CellsFunction and Physical Characteristics 64Neutrophils 64Lymphocytes 65Monocytes 66Eosinophils 67Basophils 69Band Neutrophils 70White Blood Cell Descriptive Terms 71Neutrophil Maturation Sequence 74Section 5 Red Blood CellsFunction and Physical Characteristics 78Laboratory Analysis 79Red Blood Cell Indices 80Red Blood Cell Terminology 82Red Blood Cell Inclusions 90Blood Parasites 93Cellular Organization of the Peripheral Blood Smear 93Red Blood Cell Production 94Reticulocytes 96Laboratory Findings 96Microscopic Identification 96Reticulocyte Count-Manual Method 98Means of Enumeration 98Blood Smear Evaluation Guidelines 99Section 6 PlateletsPlatelet Structure and Function 102Laboratory Analysis 103Specimen Collection 103Platelet Count Methods 104Appendix: Manufacturers List 107Index 109Recommended Readings 121