How is cbc performed

RML utilizes the most advanced technology to provide fast and accurate results. Our instrument signals the laboratory personnel that review by a human is needed. This occurs mostly during the WBC Differential phase of the analysis and can prolong the time it takes to receive the results.

In most cases, emergency CBCs are reported back in less than an hour. Results of routine CBCs for hospital in-patients are made available in three to six hours. It's best to try to relax and stay still during the procedure because tensing muscles can make it harder and more painful to draw blood. And if you don't want to watch the needle being inserted or see the blood collecting, you don't have to.

Look the other way and maybe relax by focusing on saying the alphabet backward, doing some breathing exercises, thinking of a place that makes you happy, or listening to your favorite music.

Most blood tests take just a few minutes. Occasionally, it can be hard to find a vein, so the health professional may need to try more than once. The health professional will remove the elastic band and the needle and cover the area with cotton or a bandage to stop the bleeding. Afterward, there may be some mild bruising, which should go away in a few days. Blood samples are processed by a machine, and it may take a few hours to a day for the results to be available.

If the test results show signs of a problem, the doctor might order other tests to figure out what the problem is and how to treat it. A CBC is a safe procedure with minimal risks.

Some people might feel faint or lightheaded from the test. A few teens have a strong fear of needles. A CBC can be done as part of a routine checkup to screen for problems or because a child isn't feeling well.

The levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets can provide doctors with information about possible problems like anemia , infections, inflammation, and other conditions. Your child should be able to eat and drink normally unless also getting other tests that require fasting beforehand. Tell your doctor about any medicines your child takes because some drugs might affect the test results. Also let the doctor know if your child has had a blood transfusion or smokes.

These can affect the CBC. Wearing a T-shirt or short-sleeved shirt for the test can make things easier for your child, and you also can bring along a toy or book as a distraction. Most blood tests take a small amount of blood from a vein. To do that, a health professional will:. In babies, blood draws are sometimes done as a "heel stick collection.

Collecting a sample of blood is only temporarily uncomfortable and can feel like a quick pinprick. Parents usually can stay with their child during a blood test. Encourage your child to relax and stay still because tensing muscles can make it harder to draw blood.