In the push/pull slide technique for preparing a smear, what angle is the spreader slide drawn back into the drop of blood?

In the push/pull slide technique for preparing a smear, what angle is the spreader slide drawn back into the drop of blood?

• A. 45-degree
• B. 90-degree
• C. 30-degree
• D. 15-degree

Answer: (C)

The angle at which the spreader slide is drawn back into the blood drop governs how the cells are distributed across the slide. In the push/pull method, you bring the spreader back into the drop at about 30 degrees. This acute angle creates a steady, gradual spread that produces a long, thin smear with a distinct feathered edge, which is ideal for evaluating cell morphology. If the angle is much steeper, the smear becomes short and thick, concentrating cells in a small area and hindering examination. If the angle is too shallow, the smear can be overly long and thin or streaky, also making interpretation difficult. So 30 degrees yields the best balance for a high-quality peripheral blood smear.

The angle at which the spreader slide is drawn back into the blood drop governs how the cells are distributed across the slide. In the push/pull method, you bring the spreader back into the drop at about 30 degrees. This acute angle creates a steady, gradual spread that produces a long, thin smear with a distinct feathered edge, which is ideal for evaluating cell morphology. If the angle is much steeper, the smear becomes short and thick, concentrating cells in a small area and hindering examination. If the angle is too shallow, the smear can be overly long and thin or streaky, also making interpretation difficult. So 30 degrees yields the best balance for a high-quality peripheral blood smear.