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Correct Answer: 5.
5. a white blood cell (wbc) count, also known as a leukocyte count, is a common laboratory test used in medical diagnostics to measure the number of white blood cells in a person's blood. white blood cells are a vital component of the immune system, playing a key role in the body's defense against infections and diseases. this test is often included as part of a complete blood count (cbc), which provides a broad overview of a person's general health status.
5. in a wbc count, there are five major types of white blood cells that are examined. these include neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, monocytes, and basophils. each type of white blood cell has a unique function in the immune response. neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cells and are the first responders to microbial infection. lymphocytes, which include t cells and b cells, are crucial for adaptive immune response, targeting specific pathogens. eosinophils are primarily involved in combating multicellular parasites and certain infections, as well as playing a role in allergic responses. monocytes, which mature into macrophages and dendritic cells, are important for phagocytosis and antigen presentation, initiating the immune response. lastly, basophils are involved in inflammatory reactions and allergic responses, releasing histamine and other mediators.
5. by analyzing these five types of white blood cells, healthcare providers can gain insights into a patient's immune system status and identify potential abnormalities. for instance, an elevated level of neutrophils might suggest a bacterial infection, while increased lymphocytes could indicate a viral infection. abnormal counts of eosinophils could suggest an allergic reaction or parasitic infection. thus, the wbc count is not only a measure of white blood cell quantity but also an important diagnostic tool to infer the nature of an underlying health issue.
5. the wbc count is performed by collecting a blood sample from the patient, typically drawn from a vein in the arm. the sample is then processed in a laboratory where an automated machine counts the number of each type of white blood cell, or a manual count is done using a microscope by a trained technician. the results are reported as the number of cells per unit of blood, usually expressed in thousands or millions per microliter. these results help doctors to diagnose diseases, monitor the effectiveness of treatments, and understand more about the patient’s immune system function.
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